CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Arts Council England: Finance

Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much Arts Council England has at its disposal to give in grant supplied by (a) his Department and (b) the national lottery for the period from 2012 to 2015.

Edward Vaizey: Arts Council England’s settlement for this spending review period was set out in a letter of 23 February 2012 that will be available on the Department’s website in due course. The Department does not specify the precise amount to be paid out in grants.
	Our lottery projections issued last week suggest that £243 million, £260 million, £262 million and £265 million may be raised for Arts Council England in the year 2012-13 to 2015-16 respectively, though actual income in those years will be dependent on the level of ticket sales in those years.

Arts: Scotland

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent estimate he has made of the number of people employed in the creative industries in Scotland.

Edward Vaizey: The Scottish Executive Creative Industries Key Sector Report (2009), estimated Scottish Creative Employment to be 60,700 in 2007. The report has been published online and can be found in full at:
	http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/11/24133819/0
	The figures on employment can be found in ‘Annex A’ of the report, or by using the following link:
	http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/11/24133819/6
	They are also given in the ‘Overview’ section.
	Creative Scotland are in the process of producing new estimates, to bring them in line with the most recent “Creative Industries Economic Estimates” report produced by this Government, which uses data taken from National Statistics sources, produced by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Broadband

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent progress has been made by the devolved administrations and local authorities in submitting draft local broadband plans.

Edward Vaizey: The Government aim to stimulate commercial investment in broadband for 90% of all premises and standard 2Mbps universal broadband. At 29 February 2012 Broadband Delivery UK had received 46 local broadband plans and had approved 20, including one from the Welsh Government in support of those objectives. There were two local broadband plans outstanding (from north and south Tyneside). In addition, the Scottish Government have published their Digital Infrastructure Action Plan and The Northern Ireland Executive had already achieved 90% superfast coverage.

Broadband: Northern Ireland

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much funding he has allocated to support broadband implementation in Northern Ireland in the last two years.

Edward Vaizey: The Secretary of State announced an allocation of £4.4 million to Northern Ireland on 15 August 2011. The Secretary of State also confirmed in a letter to the First and Deputy First Minsters for the Northern Ireland Executive that he was prepared to fund in addition to the £4.4 million a pilot in Northern Ireland subject to receipt of an acceptable proposal. The level of funding has not been confirmed and is also subject to the receipt of an acceptable proposal.

Broadband: Northern Ireland

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what meetings have been held with the Northern Ireland Executive on support for broadband delivery since September 2011.

Edward Vaizey: Officials from this Department met with officials from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Northern Ireland (DETINI) to discuss broadband delivery in Northern Ireland, on 30 September 2011. A conference call on the same subject also took place on 30 October 2011.
	An official from DETINI attended a workshop in London on 10 January 2012 for cities eligible to bid for the Urban Broadband Fund.

Departmental Ethnic Minority Staff

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many and what proportion of senior civil servants in his Department were from an ethnic minority in March (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012; and if he will make a statement.

John Penrose: The number and proportion of senior civil servants from an ethnic minority recorded by the Department, in the months you have requested, can be found in the following table.
	
		
			 As at March each year Number declaring ethnic minority status Non-respondents Proportion of t otal SCS 
			 2010 2 12 4.08 
			 2011 2 19 3.85 
			 2012 1 26 1.85

Film

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what consideration he has given to the effect on cinema exhibitors and film distributors of the different licensing regimes for film classification in (a) England and Wales, (b) Scotland and (c) Northern Ireland.

Edward Vaizey: As were made clear in the Government’s recent consultation on reforms to the entertainment licensing regime, we will not deregulate the exhibition of film without maintaining the film classification regime. We are currently considering the responses to the consultation, including views on the options for retaining the classification system should we decide to deregulate the exhibition of film.

Film

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what enforcement mechanism the Government intends to use to ensure adherence to BBFC classifications when the entertainment licensing requirement for cinemas is repealed under the Licensing Act 2003.

Edward Vaizey: As were made clear in the Government’s recent consultation on reforms to the entertainment licensing regime, we will not deregulate the exhibition of film without maintaining the film classification regime. We are currently considering the responses to the consultation, including views on the options for retaining the classification system should we decide to deregulate the exhibition of film.

Music

Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what information his Department holds on how much funding has been allocated for the promotion of musical activities to (a) South Asian and (b) other Asian organisations by (i) National Portfolio organisations and (ii) the National Lottery for the period from 2012 to 2015.

Edward Vaizey: Government funding for the arts is routed to the sector via Arts Council England (ACE), which is responsible for arts funding decisions and makes these decisions independently of Government. The Department does not therefore hold such detailed information on how money has been allocated. However, I understand that ACE will be able to determine which of its National Portfolio organisations to be funded from 2012 to 2015 are Asian-led or south Asian-led when these organisations have returned the "National Portfolio organisation annual submission". I understand that this data will be received by ACE in mid-to-late 2013.
	Applications for lottery grants are made independently of Government and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). The DCMS lottery grants database holds details of successful lottery grants. The database is searchable at
	www.lottery.culture.gov.uk
	and uses information on lottery grants supplied by the lottery distributors.

Olympic Games 2012

Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what steps the Government has taken to encourage companies producing official merchandise for the London 2012 Olympics to manufacture products in the UK.

Hugh Robertson: holding answer 8 March 2012
	The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) is responsible for the London 2012 licensing and retail programme, which contributes significantly to its privately-financed budget. LOCOG is a private company operating independently of Government, and has run an open tender process for each license opportunity and promoted them via the online business network portal CompeteFor, to make sure that businesses across the UK had a fair and open chance to bid.
	More than 90% of licensees are UK companies, and where they can take advantage of UK manufacturing they do so, such as Royal Mint, Royal Mail, Letts Diaries and Wedgwood, Waterford and Royal Doulton.

Olympic Games 2012

Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will estimate the proportion of official memorabilia for the London 2012 Olympics that will be manufactured in the UK.

Hugh Robertson: holding answer 8 March 2012
	The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) is responsible for the London 2012 licensing and retail programme. More than 90% of its appointed licensees are UK companies, with all design and development managed locally. Where there are opportunities for licensees to take advantage of UK manufacturing they do so, such as Royal Mint, Royal Mail, Letts Diaries and Wedgwood; Waterford and Royal Doulton.

Olympic Games 2012

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport when he or the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games will give guidance on the interpretation of the Olympic Symbol etc. (Protection) Act 1995 for the purposes of allowing magazines and periodicals to include editorial and advertising related to the London 2012 Olympic Games that is not intended to claim an official relationship to the Games.

Hugh Robertson: The Olympic Symbol etc. (Protection) Act 1995 confers exclusive rights in relation to the use of the Olympic and Paralympic symbols, the Olympic and Paralympic mottos, and certain Olympic- and Paralympic-related words. The Act contains express exemptions relating to the publication or broadcast of reports and information about the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Those exemptions do not apply to advertising material which is published or broadcast at the same time as, or in connection with, a report or information. The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Limited (LOCOG) has published detailed information about the Act which includes information about those exemptions. It is available at the following web address:
	www.london2012.com/brandprotection

Olympic Games 2012

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport when he or the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games will provide guidance to the magazine publishing industry on carrying editorial and advertisements related to the London 2012 Olympic Games which are not subject to the Olympic Symbol etc. (Protection) Act 1995.

Hugh Robertson: The Olympic Symbol etc. (Protection) Act 1995 confers exclusive rights in relation to the use of the Olympic and Paralympic symbols, the Olympic and Paralympic mottos and certain Olympic- and Paralympic-related words. The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Limited (LOCOG) has published detailed information about the Act which includes information about material that is not subject to the Act. It is available at the following web address:
	www.london2012.com/brandprotection

Olympic Games 2012

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games on interpreting the Olympic Symbol etc. (Protection) Act 1995 and the London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Act 2006 relating to editorial and advertising content in print media.

Hugh Robertson: Officials from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport had extensive discussions with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Limited (LOCOG) in 2005 and 2006 about legislation that would amend the Olympic Symbol etc. (Protection) Act 1995 including by adding exemptions to it relating to the publication or broadcast of reports and information about the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Following the enactment of that legislation, LOCOG published detailed information about the Olympic Symbol etc. (Protection) Act 1995 which includes information about the exemptions in the Act. It is available at the following web address:
	www.london2012.com/brandprotection

Olympic Games 2012: Voluntary Work

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assistance with (a) travel and (b) accommodation expenses he plans to provide to volunteers for the Olympics living in the north-east; and what information was provided to potential applications during the application process as to the nature of expenses provided to volunteers.

Hugh Robertson: holding answer 8 March 2012
	Volunteering schemes connected to the Olympic Games are the responsibility of the organisation operating them. The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) is responsible for the official Games Maker volunteer scheme. LOCOG will provide Games Makers with refreshments during their shifts, a uniform and—for those volunteering within London—a zone one to six travel card. Free transport will also be provided in Newcastle for Games Makers volunteering at the Olympic Football tournament, with similar arrangements for volunteers at other venues across the UK. An independent bursary scheme has been launched to support Games Makers in financial need from the north-east.
	LOCOG has always been clear that it could not provide central funding for accommodation and transport expenses for the up to 70,000 Games Makers that will help to stage the Games. A quarter of a million people from communities right across the UK applied to be Games Makers on the clear understanding that they would need to arrange their own accommodation and transport to the Games. This has been reinforced throughout the selection and training process.

PRIME MINISTER

Computer Software

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he has had with the Minister for the Cabinet Office about the development of a personal iPad application for his use.

David Cameron: None.

WALES

Departmental Ethnic Minority Staff

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many and what proportion of senior civil servants in her Department were from an ethnic minority in March (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012; and if she will make a statement.

David Jones: None of the five people who have covered the four senior civil servant posts during the periods listed have been from an ethnic minority group.

Education

Hywel Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Education on the potential effect of his education reforms on educational priorities in Wales; and if she will make a statement.

David Jones: The majority of the changes that are proposed by the Secretary of State for Education, my right hon. Friend the Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove), will not apply in Wales.
	I am committed to ensuring the best possible outcomes for school children and young people in education in Wales, and will continue to work with both the Department for Education and the Welsh Government to help achieve this.

NHS

Hywel Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions she has had with the First Minister of the Welsh Government on the impact of the Government’s NHS reforms in England on health provision in Wales; and if she will make a statement.

David Jones: While the NHS in Wales is a matter for the Welsh Government, there has been close engagement between the Department for Health, the Wales Office and the Welsh Government to ensure that the changes the UK Government are making in the Health and Social Care Bill that relate to Wales will have a positive impact in Wales.

Regulation

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which regulations her Department repealed between 1 June 2011 and 31 January 2012; and if she will estimate the likely savings to the public purse in each case.

David Jones: The Wales Office did not repeal any regulations between 1 June 2011 and 31 January 2012.

Welfare Reform

Hywel Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 
	(1)  what recent discussions she has had with the First Minister of the Welsh Government on the potential effect of the Government’s welfare reforms in England on the Welsh people; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the potential effect of welfare reform in England and Wales; and if she will make a statement.

David Jones: The Secretary of State for Wales, my right hon. Friend the Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs Gillan), has regular discussions with both the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, my right hon. Friend the Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Mr Duncan Smith), and the First Minister about a range of matters relevant to Wales. These have included discussions on welfare reform.
	The Welfare Reform Act, which received Royal Assent on 8 March, will introduce the most fundamental reforms to the social security system for 60 years, and will deliver a system throughout Britain, that is simpler, fairer and ensures that work always pays.

SCOTLAND

Departmental Ethnic Minority Staff

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many and what proportion of senior civil servants in his Department were from an ethnic minority in March (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012; and if he will make a statement.

David Mundell: The Scotland Office has only a small number of senior civil servants. As the numbers are small, such information would not be published to protect the privacy of the individuals concerned.

Equality and Human Rights Commission

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland pursuant to the answer of 6 March 2012, Official Report, column 629W, on Equality and Human Rights Commission, on what date he met the Equality and Human Rights Commission's Commissioner for Scotland.

David Mundell: The Secretary of State for Scotland, the right hon. Member for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk (Michael Moore), met the Equality and Human Rights Commission's Scotland Commissioner on 14 July 2010.

Regulation

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which regulations his Department repealed between 1 June 2011 and 31 January 2012; and if he will estimate the likely savings to the public purse in each case.

David Mundell: Each year, the Scotland Office takes forward a programme of Orders under the Scotland Act 1998. Between 1 June 2011 and 31 January 2012 one of these Orders, the Adoption and Children (Scotland) Act 2007 (Consequential Modifications) Orders 2011 (S.I. 2011/1740), was brought forward and revoked the following two existing Orders:
	The Adoption and Children (Scotland) Act 2007 (Consequential Provisions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/2469); and
	The Adoption and Children (Scotland) Act 2007 (Consequential Provisions) (Amendment) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/1345).
	Due to the replacement of these Orders by the new 2011 Order, there are no identifiable savings.

DEFENCE

Departmental Procurement

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many contracts awarded by his Department to management consultants (a) since publication of the Strategic Defence and Security Review and (b) in 2011-12 were awarded after competitive tendering; and how many competing providers there were for each contract awarded after competitive tendering.

Peter Luff: holding answer 23 November 2011
	The Ministry of Defence is at present conducting a review of its management consultancy contracts. I will therefore write to the hon. Member with further details once the review has been completed.
	Substantive answer from Peter Luff to Alison Seabeck:
	I undertook to write to you in answer to your Parliamentary Question on 13 December 2011 (Official Report, column 752W) about the number of contracts awarded to management consultants.
	Between 19 October 2010 and 31 October 2011, 72 contracts with a total value of £9.931 million were awarded to companies providing services to the Ministry of Defence under the Government Procurement Services definition of management consultancy. Of these contracts, 20 (valued at £5.903 million, 59% of the total value) were placed by stand alone competitive tendering, 41 were awarded competitively through a pre-competed government framework (valued at £3.899 million, 39% of the total value) and five were placed non-competitively (valued at £0.099 million, 1% of the total value). Data for the remaining six contracts, valued at £30,000 could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
	In respect of the above data that falls in this financial year 2011-12, of a total of 38 contracts placed with a total value of £8.965 million, six (valued at £5.475 million, 61% of the total value) were placed by stand alone competitive tendering, 28 were awarded competitively through a pre-competed government framework (valued at £3.439 million, 38% of the total value) and four were placed non-competitively (valued at £0.051 million, 1% of the total value).
	The number of competing providers for each contract awarded could only be provided as disproportionate cost.

Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent estimate he has made of the through-life costs of the carrier variant Joint Strike Fighter; and if he will make a statement.

Peter Luff: We update our through life cost estimates for Joint Strike Fighter annually as part of our departmental planning round process.

MOD Bicester

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many failed courier deliveries, where the courier failed to make the delivery resulting in the consignment being taken back to the base, there have been from MOD Logistics Bicester since 2008.

Peter Luff: This information is not held.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Asylum Seekers: Iran

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to support failed Iranian asylum seekers (a) to obtain travel documents given the closure of the Iranian embassy in London and (b) whilst returns to Iran have been suspended through the Choices programme.

Damian Green: Refugee Action Choices has not suspended support to Iranian nationals who need assistance to return home.
	However, as there is no Iranian diplomatic mission in the United Kingdom, there are limits to what support we can provide where they do not hold a valid passport to return.
	Iranian nationals who do not hold passports should contact the Interior Ministry in Tehran, or any other Iranian diplomatic mission in another country, in order to obtain a travel document to enable them to return to Iran.

Bail

Richard Graham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people detained by the UK Border Agency were granted bail in each of the last five years; and how many (a) absconded and (b) failed to keep to bail conditions in each year.

Damian Green: In order to answer this question the UK Border Agency would need to analyse a large volume of electronic records, which would incur disproportionate cost.
	There are currently 3,940 foreign national offenders released into the community following completion of their custodial sentence who are subject to deportation action. Around 10% of these release decisions are made by the UK Border Agency, having assessed the risk of harm posed to the public and the prospects of removal in a reasonable timescale. The remaining 90% of release decisions are made by the courts.
	Foreign national offenders in the community awaiting deportation are subject to stringent reporting restrictions while every effort is made to remove them from the country.
	In some cases foreign national offenders fail to adhere to the conditions of their licence and do not report as necessary. As such they become absconders.
	The UK Border Agency works closely with the police and probation services to locate these individuals. The UK Border Agency has a specialist trace and locate team who scrutinise external databases in order to track down absconders.

British Nationals: Entry Clearances

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many British Overseas Territory nationals were refused entry to the UK in each of the last five years.

Damian Green: British overseas territories citizenship does not attract the right to enter and live in the UK. However, as many British overseas territories citizens are also British citizens it is more likely than not that they would enter the United Kingdom on presentation of a British citizen passport. Those British overseas territories citizens who are not also British citizens would be required to enter the UK under visa arrangements.
	During the past five years, 2007 to 2011, there were only two British Overseas Territory citizens refused entry to the UK, both in 2007. Neither were British citizens.
	The Home Office publishes quarterly and annual statistics on the number of persons refused entry to the United Kingdom. Data on those refused entry are available in tables be.08 to be.08q from the Library of the House and from the Home Office Science, research and statistics web pages at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/science-research/research-statistics/migration/migration-statistics1/
	In published tables, be.08 and be.08.q, ‘British Overseas Territory nationals’ is not a separate published nationality. We publish this nationality under a broad category of ‘British overseas citizens’.

Coinage: Counterfeit Manufacturing

Stephen Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps her Department is taking to tackle the counterfeiting of (a) the pound sterling and (b) the euro in the UK.

Chloe Smith: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Treasury.
	The National Central Office for the Suppression of Counterfeit Currency and Protected Coins, which sits within the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), is the UK's centre for identifying trends in counterfeiting activity. It analyses thousands of reports from police forces and the Bank of England each year to help protect the UK against the damage caused by counterfeit bank notes and coins.
	Levels of counterfeit euros discovered in this country are very low compared to countries which have adopted the euro as currency. However, where they are identified SOCA will take appropriate action including liaising with European counterparts.
	Everybody convicted of producing counterfeit currency in the last five years in the UK has received a substantial custodial sentence and on each occasion a serious crime prevention order has been issued, which inhibits their ability to procure material and machinery that could be used in the production of counterfeits.

Crime Prevention

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she plans to issue further guidance on the use of the Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Honour Based Violence (DASH 2009) Risk Identification, Assessment and Management Model by police forces in England and Wales.

Lynne Featherstone: The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) Council agreed the Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Honour Based Violence (DASH) Risk Identification, Assessment and Management Model to be implemented across all police services in the UK from March 2009. Although we understand that the majority of forces currently use DASH, it is for individual forces to decide which risk assessment models to use and the training their officers and staff receive.

Criminal Records

Andrew Bridgen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Government plans to announce its response to the Criminal Records Regime review.

Lynne Featherstone: The Government response to both phases of the review of the Criminal Records Regime which was carried out by Mrs Sunita Mason, the Government's Independent Advisor for Criminality Information Management, was announced on 6 December 2011. Copies of the response and reports were placed in both Libraries.
	The Government accepted the majority of Mrs Mason's recommendations, either unconditionally or in principle.

Departmental Ethnic Minority Staff

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what proportion of senior civil servants in her Department were from an ethnic minority in March (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012; and if she will make a statement.

Damian Green: The proportion of senior civil servants in the Home Office (including its executive agencies) who were from an ethnic minority was (a) 4.84% in March 2010 and (b) 5.59% in March 2011. The figure for March 2012 will not be available until mid-April 2012. The latest available data are for January 2012, when 6.08% of senior civil servants in the Department were from an ethnic minority.

Departmental Redundancy

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much her Department has spent on redundancy payments in the last 12 months.

Damian Green: During the period 1 March 2011 to 29 February 2012, £1,880,904.82 was charged to the Home Office in relation to Civil Service Compensation Scheme redundancy.

Deportation: Christopher Tappin

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions she had with the US Administration on the deportation of Christopher Tappin; and what aspects of the deportation were addressed in such discussions.

Damian Green: The Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), has had no such discussions about the extradition of Mr Tappin.

Domestic Violence

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will discuss with senior civil servants in her Department how to encourage police forces to improve police response times to incidents of domestic violence.

Lynne Featherstone: Home Office officials continue to work with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) in order to improve the response to domestic violence. The guidance to police on investigating domestic violence is being reviewed by ACPO, with the aim of reissuing it later in 2012. As part of this work, ACPO and the National Policing Improvement Agency are currently scoping a six-month pilot. This is due to commence in the spring of 2012 in two police force areas, and will test out new procedures that streamline and strengthen the service provided by the police in order to ensure that resources are directed appropriately and efficiently when responding to domestic violence incidents.

Drugs: International Cooperation

Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Memoranda of Understanding have been established between UK customs and business organisations operating in the EU to combat drug trafficking under the guidelines laid down in EU Council Joint Action 96/698/JHA; and what evaluation her Department has made of the effectiveness of such memoranda.

David Gauke: holding answer 27 February 2012
	I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Treasury.
	12 memoranda of understanding broadly relating to customs-related matters have been concluded between HMRC and the former HM Customs and Excise and business organisations operating in the EU (mainly EU-based airlines and other freight and passenger carriers), the scope of which includes the combating of drug trafficking. Five of these MOUs were concluded after the adoption of EU Council Joint Action 96/698/JHA.
	Although these MOUs were signed by HMRC/HMCE, they are principally applied by the UK Border Agency, which keeps their operation and coverage under review to ensure their continued effectiveness.

Entry Clearances

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her Department's policy is on charging representatives of Chernobyl children's charities for visas to enter the UK.

Damian Green: As children from Belarus are commonly considered to have been worst affected by the Chernobyl disaster, visa applications to the British embassy in Minsk are processed free of charge for charities that have signed a UK Border Agency (UKBA) memorandum of understanding. Alongside the provision of free visas, this agreement ensures that the proper safeguards are in place and provides for mobile biometric collection facilities and other benefits for the charities.
	Unfortunately, in line with a number of other difficult spending decisions, the gratis scheme will cease on 31 March 2013. The charities were informed of this decision in November 2010.
	The cost of the gratis visas in Belarus are currently charged to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office by UKBA.

Entry Clearances: Overseas Students

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the accreditation system for English language schools offering courses which are (a) shorter than 11 months and (b) longer than 11 months; and if she will make a statement.

Damian Green: No changes have been made to the accreditation system for English language schools for courses shorter than 11 months using the extended student visitor visa route. We shall review the arrangement for the student visitor route later this year.
	For courses longer than 11 months, international students must use Tier 4 of the points-based system. The Government are taking a new approach to the licensing of education providers sponsoring international students and have introduced a new system of educational oversight. This will raise standards and benefit genuine international students by ensuring that they receive high quality education wherever they study. They will also help to protect overseas students from unscrupulous providers and support the many legitimate colleges by protecting the excellent reputation of UK education worldwide.
	The Government plan to announce in the coming months proposals for inspection arrangements from 2013.

European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters

Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been temporarily transferred (a) to and (b) from the UK for the purposes of investigation under Article 9 of EU Council Act of 29 May 2000 (2000/C197/01) in each of the last 10 years.

Damian Green: The UK Central Authority (UKCA) within the Home Office deals with requests for temporary transfer of persons in custody for the purposes of criminal investigations only in relation to England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In the last 10 years there have been no such transfers under Article 9 of EU Council Act of 29 May 2000 (2000/C197/01).

Extradition: Counterfeit Manufacturing

Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been extradited to another EU member state for counterfeiting offences involving the euro in each of the last 10 years.

Damian Green: The UK's extradition arrangements are divided into two parts. Part 1 concerns the European Arrest Warrant (EAW), which governs extradition between EU member states. The EAW has been in operation since 1 January 2004. Part 2 concerns extradition between the UK and our non-EU extradition partners.
	The Home Office has no record of anyone being extradited from the UK to another EU member state for offences involving counterfeiting the euro from 2001 until the EAW came into force.
	The Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service for Scotland are the designated UK authorities responsible for processing European Arrest Warrants (EAWs). According to SOCA records, the following number of surrenders pursuant to EAWs issued to the UK have taken place where 'counterfeiting' was listed as the principal offence and offences involving the euro were involved:
	
		
			  Number of surrenders 
			 2009 100 
			 2010 111 
		
	
	Due to the way data was recorded prior to 1 April 2009, it is not possible to provide data prior to this date. This would involve a manual examination of case files and incur disproportionate cost.

Families

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much funding police authorities will contribute from pre-allocated resources towards the troubled families initiative in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14 and (d) 2014-15.

Nick Herbert: This is a decision for individual police authorities—and, from November 2012, for police and crime commissioners—and this information is not held centrally.

Foreign Nationals: Bail

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many foreign nationals in police custody have been released on bail as a result of problems with the provision of translation or interpretation services since 30 January 2012.

Nick Herbert: The information requested is not held centrally.

Foreign Workers: Domestic Service

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate has been made of the effect the removal of the right to change employer for overseas domestic workers will have on the number of undocumented migrants.

Damian Green: We do not anticipate that the removal of overseas domestic workers' right to change employer will affect the number of undocumented migrants.

Foreign Workers: Domestic Service

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment has been made of the effect of the removal of the right to change employer for overseas domestic workers on levels of trafficking for domestic service.

Damian Green: We do not believe that removal of the right to change employer is likely to affect levels of trafficking for domestic servitude.

Foreign Workers: Domestic Service

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how overseas domestic workers will be able to escape abusive conditions of employment when their right to change employer is removed.

Damian Green: Fewer overseas domestic workers will come here. Those who do will be able, as now, to leave their employer. The National Referral Mechanism for the identification and support of victims of trafficking will remain available, as will support from the domestic workers' embassy and access to the police where the overseas domestic worker may be a victim of a crime. The Home Office will also work with voluntary organisations on support for victims of abuse.

Foreign Workers: Domestic Service

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how the written terms and conditions of employment agreed by overseas domestic workers and their employers referred to in the statement of intent will be enforced following the removal of the right of such workers to change employer.

Damian Green: The Employment Rights Act 1996 requires that employees in the UK be given a written statement of their particulars of employment. Employees, including overseas domestic workers, who consider that those particulars are not met may make a claim to an Employment Tribunal, provided they do so within three months of leaving the employment.

Gurkhas

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 23 November 2011, Official Report, columns 403-04W, on Gurkhas, how many (a) former Gurkhas and (b) dependants of Gurkhas have been allowed to enter and reside in the UK from June to December 2011.

Damian Green: holding answer 10 January 2012
	276 armed forces settlement visas were issued to Nepalese nationals from June to September 2011.
	930 dependant settlement visas were issued to Nepalese nationals from June to September 2011.
	These data are based on the number of visas issued to Nepalese nationals as we are not able to identify visas issued specifically for Gurkhas or dependants of Gurkhas.
	The data are based on management information. They are provisional and subject to change. Home Office statistics are published quarterly. The data provided are up to the end of September 2011, in line with the period covered by the Home Office published statistics.

Immigration

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average time was to reach a decision on in-time applications for (a) further leave to remain and (b) indefinite leave to remain in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Damian Green: For the period January to December 2011, the average time to reach a decision on in-time applications was (a) 34 working days for leave to remain, and (b) 60 working days for indefinite leave to remain. These figures relate to postal lead applications despatched in 2011.
	All figures quoted above are management information which has been subject to internal quality checks.

Immigration Controls

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she received the Vine report on border security checks.

Damian Green: The Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), received the Independent Chief Inspector's report of his investigation into border security checks on 7 February 2012.

Internet: Fraud

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent estimate she has made of the costs to (a) consumers and (b) businesses of (i) credit card fraud, (ii) intellectual property crime and (iii) unresolved delivery problems for online sales in the latest period for which figures are available; and if she will make a statement.

James Brokenshire: The UK Cards Association estimate that losses on UK issued plastic cards as a result of fraud in 2011 were £341 million.
	There is no reliable estimate of the costs of intellectual property crime. However the Intellectual Property Crime Report 2010-11, published by the Intellectual Property Office, provides a number of examples from a range of resources, which give an informal indication of its scale and impact. Figures for unresolved delivery problems for online sales are not held centrally.

Members: Correspondence

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when her Department plans to reply to the letters of 13 and 21 January from the right hon. Member for Manchester Central with T.O. Home Office reference: 0118112.

Damian Green: The chief executive of the UK Border Agency wrote to the hon. Member on 8 March 2012.

Members: Correspondence

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when a reply will be sent to the hon. Member for Harrow West's letter of 14 December 2011 about Mr Kakar of Harrow.

Damian Green: The UK Border Agency replied to the hon. Member on 23 January 2012, records show the hon. Member wrote a further letter regarding Mr Kakar on 21 February 2012 and a response to this letter was sent on 7 March 2012.

Police Stations: Lincolnshire

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many companies made bids for the contract to run a police station in Lincolnshire.

Nick Herbert: The procurement to contract for outsourced services was undertaken by Lincolnshire police. Therefore, we do not hold specific information on the police station elements of their overall contract. This is a matter for Lincolnshire police authority.

Police: Business Partnership Programme

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police forces in England and Wales have signed up to the Business Partnership Programme; and when she expects the programme to begin.

Nick Herbert: The Home Office has been supporting Surrey and West Midlands police since January 2011 in exploring the potential value that a business partner could bring to both forces in transforming and delivering support services. The procurement notice published by Surrey and West Midlands police authorities on 24 January 2012 in the Official Journal of the European Union is open to other forces to join, should they decide that this option best supports them in delivering transformation to maintain and improve services to the public. Police forces are already using the private sector to provide staff for control rooms, custody centres and investigations, enabling them to release officers for frontline duties.

Proceeds of Crime: EU Action

Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many requests to (a) identify and trace and (b) confiscate the proceeds of crime in accordance with Article 1 of EU Council Joint Action 98/699/JHA the Government (i) issued to and (ii) received from other EU member states in each of the last 10 years; and what evaluation she has made of the EU Joint Action's effectiveness.

James Brokenshire: holding answer 5 March 2012
	Information relating to requests to identify and trace the proceeds of crime is not held centrally. The UK central authority for criminal matters holds statistics for England, Wales and Northern Ireland in relation to mutual legal assistance requests. For requests to confiscate the proceeds of crime in relation to EU member states, the information is as follows:
	
		
			 Confiscation cases for EU countries by year 
			  Incoming Outgoing 
			 2002 2 2 
			 2003 1 5 
			 2004 4 9 
			 2005 4 3 
			 2006 4 1 
			 2007 1 9 
			 2008 0 10 
			 2009 1 9 
			 2010 3 8 
			 2011 2 6 
			 2012 1 1 
		
	
	The UK must decide, no later than 31 May 2014, whether to accept full European Court of Justice jurisdiction over those EU police and criminal justice measures adopted before 1 December 2009 which have not been amended or replaced. This measure falls within the scope of that decision and will be reviewed accordingly.

Sentencing: EU Action

Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to EU Council Decision 1999/615/JHA, whether 4-MTA is subject to control measures and criminal penalties in the UK.

James Brokenshire: holding answer 8 March 2012
	EU Council decision 1999/615/JHA defined a-Methyl-4-(methylthio) phenethylamine (4-MTA) as a new synthetic drug to be made subject to control measures and criminal penalties by member states.
	In 2001, the UK brought 4-MTA and a number of phenethylamine derivatives under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, as class A drugs. Since then the possession, supply and production of 4-MTA has been prohibited, unless under lawful authority, and attract class A criminal penalties.

Surrey Police: Redundancy

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) frontline and (b) back office staff in Surrey police she expects will be made redundant in (i) 2012, (ii) 2013, (iii) 2014 and (iv) 2015.

Nick Herbert: Decisions on the numbers of police staff are for individual chief officers and their police authorities—and, from November this year, police and crime commissioners—within the resource available.

Temporary Employment

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much her Department has spent on employment agency fees in the last 12 months.

Damian Green: Information on how much the Home Office including its executive agencies spent on employment agency fees in the last 12 months could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

UK Border Agency: Public Appointments

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what the salary will be of the new head of the UK Border Force;
	(2)  when the position of the head of the UK Border Force was advertised; and for how long.

Damian Green: We expect the role of Director General Border Force to be advertised in March for a period of at least three weeks. Starting salary will depend on the qualifications, knowledge, and experience of the candidate selected for appointment and is not expected to exceed £140,000.

West Midlands Police Authority

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions she has had with the West Midlands Police Authority on the effect of changes in expenditure by her Department on the reorganisation of (a) front-line services and (b) the Road Traffic Policing Unit.

Nick Herbert: The ways in which forces deliver transformation in order to maintain and improve services—including roads policing—while meeting the clear requirement to reduce overall spending are the subject of continuing discussions between the Department and the main policing bodies. The Home Office has been supporting West Midlands police and police authority (and Surrey police and police authority) to explore the potential value of business partnering to achieve transformation within those forces to maintain and improve frontline services.

TRANSPORT

Bus Services: Olympic Games 2012

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 9 February 2012, Official Report, columns 407-8W on bus services: Olympic Games 2012, if she will place in the Library a copy of the assurances received by (a) the Olympic Delivery Authority and (b) the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Theresa Villiers: holding answer 23 February 2012
	Further to the response previously supplied, the Olympic Delivery Authority's (ODA) contractor has procured 250 new and refurbished vehicles for spectator services that will be cascaded into its fleet after the games, and therefore will not affect its existing bus operations.
	A further 70 vehicles are being taken from bus operations around the country, however these vehicles will not be required during the Olympic period due to a normally lower peak vehicle requirement, as school bus services do not operate.
	All other vehicles are being sourced from coach fleets, and therefore would not be used to operate bus services.
	Copies of the formal assurances sought would form part of the contract tendering process that the ODA and the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG) have gone through to obtain the buses. The Department for Transport was not party to these negotiations, and therefore is unable to provide copies of the assurances.

Concessionary Bus Travel Act 2007

Naomi Long: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether she plans to implement the provision in the Concessionary Bus Travel Act 2007 that bus passes issued in any part of the UK could be used throughout the UK.

Norman Baker: No.

Crossrail

Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many officials in her Department worked only on the Crossrail project in (a) 2009, (b) 2010 and (c) 2011; and how many hours they spent working on the project in each of those years.

Theresa Villiers: Taking an average over the calendar year, the number of officials in the Department for Transport working only on the Crossrail project in the requested years, on a full or part-time basis, was as follows:
	
		
			  Number of officials 
			  Full-time Part time 
			 2009 9 1 
			 2010 7 1 
			 2011 7 1

Cycling: Training

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much funding her Department will allocate for cycling training in (a) each year of the current spending review period and (b) the following spending period.

Norman Baker: The Department for Transport has made £11 million per financial year available to local highway authorities and school games organiser host schools to deliver Bikeability cycle training to children aged between 9 to 14 years. This funding covers the period between 1 April 2011 and 31 March 2015. Funding beyond March 2015 will be reviewed nearer the time.

Dartford-Thurrock Crossing

Gareth Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many consultations her Department undertook in relation to the Dartford Crossing in each of the last 10 years.

Michael Penning: The Department for Transport has conducted three consultations in the last 10 years in relation to the Dartford Crossing.
	In December 2006 the Department consulted on proposals to revise the road user charging regime at the Crossing, which was followed in February 2008 by a consultation on proposals for discounted charges for local residents. In June 2011, the Department published a consultation document on further proposals to revise the charging regime.

Departmental Carbon Emissions

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what reduction in carbon dioxide emissions her Department has made under the 10:10 initiative.

Norman Baker: The Department for Transport did not sign up to the 10:10 campaign.
	However, on 14 May 2010 the Prime Minister announced that central Government would reduce its carbon emissions by 10% within 12 months. At the end of this period the Department for Transport had reduced its emissions by 2,369 tonnes of CO2, a 10.7% saving.

Departmental Ethnic Minority Staff

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many and what proportion of senior civil servants in her Department were from an ethnic minority in March (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012; and if she will make a statement.

Norman Baker: All employees are asked to declare their ethnicity. This process is voluntary and some employees decline to participate in the equality monitoring process. The following information applies to senior civil servants who have declared their ethnicity:
	(a) In March 2010 our central Department and its seven executive agencies employed 198 senior civil servants who had declared their ethnicity of whom seven (3.5%) were from ethnic minorities.
	(b) In March 2011 our central Department and its seven executive agencies employed 171 senior civil servants who had declared their ethnicity of whom six (3.5%) were from ethnic minorities.
	(c) In February 2012 our central Department and its seven executive agencies employed 156 senior civil servants who have declared their ethnicity of whom five (3.2%) are from ethnic minorities
	Our diversity objectives which will be published in April 2012 and our longer term diversity strategy will address representation in the work force at all levels.

Liverpool Port: Finance

John Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 1 March 2012, Official Report, column 451W, on Liverpool Port: finance, whether she expects that negotiations on the repayment of UK Government grants by the City of Liverpool Cruise Terminal to be completed by 29 May 2012.

Michael Penning: Yes, as regards the Department for Transport's decision. The time frame for state aid clearance by the European Commission is not within the Department's control.

Liverpool Port: Finance

John Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 1 March 2012, Official Report, column 451W, on Liverpool Port: finance, what assessment her Department has made of funding from the EU before removing its objection to turnaround operations at the City of Liverpool Cruise Terminal; and what assessment she has made of the effect of the lifting of this restriction on the level of competition in the ports sector.

Michael Penning: My Department has taken account of the existence of ERDF funding for the terminal, and of the fact that the local benefits, in respect of which this grant was awarded, would tend to be enhanced rather than reduced by the removal of the prohibition on turnaround. The effect on competition has been of primary concern throughout in considering the appropriate level of repayment, as it was the reason for the original prohibition.

London and South Eastern Railway: Franchises

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when her Department plans to decide whether to change the service level commitment in the Southeastern Franchise Agreement following the trial of diverting 3 am peak existing services from Rochester to London St Pancras and 3 pm existing services from London St Pancras to Rochester/Faversham to start and terminate at Maidstone West; and what consultation will take place on the matter.

Norman Baker: Following a successful trail in 2011, Southeastern introduced a permanent high speed service between St Pancras and Maidstone West on a commercial basis.
	As a commercially operated service the Department has no plans to include it in the Service Level Commitment for Southeastern.

London and South Eastern Railway: Franchises

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations she has received on proposals to end the diversion of 3 am peak existing services from Rochester to London St Pancras and 3 pm existing services from London St Pancras to Rochester/Faversham to start and terminate at Maidstone West on the Southeastern franchise.

Norman Baker: The Department has received no representations on any proposal to end the high speed services between London St Pancras and Maidstone West that Southeastern introduced in 2011.

Luton Airport

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what work her Department has carried out on proposals to expand Luton airport.

Theresa Villiers: The Department has not carried out any work on proposals to expand Luton airport.
	Expansion at the airport is a matter for the airport operator and/or owner.

M1: Fires

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 9 February 2012, Official Report, columns 411-2W, on the M1: fires, when her Department will publish the Highways Agency and Network Rail audits to categorise potential sources of fire risk from third party activities at other critical locations beneath, or adjacent to, their respective networks.

Michael Penning: Both these audit reports are still being reviewed by my Department and a publication strategy is currently being considered.

Maritime and Coastguard Agency

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what responsibilities the Maritime and Coastguard Agency will have in respect of leisure craft following the reorganisation of the Coastguard Service.

Michael Penning: The existing responsibilities the Maritime and Coastguard Agency have in respect of leisure craft will not be affected by the reorganisation of Her Majesty's Coastguard.

Network Rail: Compensation

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 21 February 2012, Official Report, column 744W, on Network Rail: compensation, which train operating companies (a) do and (b) do not operate the delay/repay compensation system.

Norman Baker: The information requested is as follows:
	(a) Delay/repay is operated on the following train operating companies (TOCs):
	Southeastern
	Southern
	East Coast
	London Midland
	Crosscountry
	East Midlands Trains
	First Capital Connect
	Greater Anglia
	Chiltern Railways (with exclusions).
	(b) The following TOCs operate traditional Passenger's Charter discount arrangements:
	Arriva Trains Wales
	c2c
	Chiltern Railways (delay/repay with exclusions and discounts)
	First Great Western
	First ScotRail
	First TransPennine Express
	Northern
	South West Trains
	Virgin Trains.
	Details of each TOC's compensation arrangements can be found in the Passenger's Charter on each TOC's website.

Railway Stations: Parking

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information her Department holds on the rate of change in car parking charges levied by Network Rail relative to changes in the cost of living in each of the last five years.

Theresa Villiers: This is a commercial matter for Network Rail as owner and operator of the national network.

Railways: Franchises

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport with reference to the announcement of 29 February 2012, what the phasing will be for delivery of the new carriages for the First TransPennine Express and London Midland franchises.

Theresa Villiers: This is a matter for the operators. However, I understand the new carriages for TransPennine Express are due to be delivered from December 2013 through to March 2014 with full introduction into service planned by the May 2014 timetable change. The London Midland new carriages are due to be delivered between April 2014 and August 2014 and will be in service from the December 2014 timetable change.

Railways: Information Services

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps her Department is taking to improve the provision of information to railway passengers during service disruptions.

Norman Baker: The Office of Rail Regulation has consulted on new licence conditions aimed at ensuring passengers receive appropriate, accurate and timely information. All train operators have signed-up to the new conditions and have committed to delivering them against the rail industry code of practice.

Railways: South West

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate she has made of the costs of the consultation exercise on the Greater Western franchise by venue in (a) Exeter, (b) Reading and (c) Bristol.

Theresa Villiers: The cost of venue hire in each location is as follows:
	
		
			  £ 
			 Bristol 350.00 
			 Reading 552.00 
			 Exeter 425.00 
			 Total 1,327.00 
		
	
	No estimate of other costs has so far been made.

Regulation

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which regulations her Department repealed between 1 June 2011 and 31 January 2012; and if she will estimate the likely savings to the public purse in each case.

Norman Baker: The following table identifies statutory instruments (Regulations and Orders) that have been revoked between 1 June 2011 and 31 January 2012.
	
		
			 Statutory Instrument containing the revocation SI number Made on: Statutory Instrument revoked Date of coming into force of revocation 
			 The Air Navigation(Dangerous Goods) (Amendment) (No 2) Regulations 2011 2011/1454 7 June2011 The Air Navigation(Dangerous Goods) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 10 June 2011 
			    SI 2011/650  
			      
			 The Tonnage Tax (Training Requirement) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 2011/2185 5 September 2011 The Tonnage Tax(Training Requirement) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 1 October 2011 
			    SI 2010/2158  
			      
			 The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment (Amendment) Regulations 2011 2011/1885 26 September 2011 The Classification and Labelling of Explosives Regulations 1983 24 October 2011 
			    SI 1983/1140  
			      
			 The Civil Enforcement of Parking Contraventions Designation Order 2011 2011/2431 5 October 2011 The Road Traffic(Permitted Parking Area and Special Parking Area) (County of Kent) (Borough of Dartford) Order 2001 7 November 2011 
			    SI 2001/1855  
			      
			 The Bus Service Operators Grant(England) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 2011/2448 10 October 2011 The Bus Service Operators Grant(Amendment) (England) Regulations 2003 1 November 2011 
			    SI 2003/1036  
			      
			 The Merchant Shipping (Port State Control) Regulations 2011 2011/2601 31 October 2011 The Merchant Shipping (Port State Control) Regulations 1995 24 November 2011 
			    SI 1995/3128  
			      
			 The Goods Vehicles(Community Licences) Regulations 2011 2011/2633 1 November 2011 The Goods Vehicles(Community Authorisations) Regulations 1992 4 December 2011 
			    SI 1992/3077  
			      
			    The Goods Vehicles (Community Authorisations) (Modifications of the Road Traffic (Foreign Vehicles) Act 1972) Regulations 2002 4 December 2011 
			    SI 2002/1415  
			      
			 The Public Service Vehicles (Community Licences) Regulations 2011 2011/2634 1 November 2011 The Public Service Vehicles (Community Licences) Regulations1999 4 December 2011 
			    SI 1999/1322  
			      
			    The Road Transport (Passenger Vehicles Cabotage) Regulations 1999 4 December 2011 
			    SI 1999/3413  
			      
			 The Road Transport Operator Regulations 2011 2011/2632 1 November 2011 The Public Service Vehicles Operators (Qualifications) Regulations 1990 4 December 2011 
			    SI 1990/1851  
			      
			    The Goods Vehicle Operators (Qualifications) Regulations 1999 4 December 2011 
			    SI 1999/2430  
		
	
	
		
			      
			    The Public Service Vehicle Operators (Qualifications) Regulations 1999 4 December 2011 
			    SI 1999/2431  
			      
			 The Merchant Shipping (Ship Inspection and Survey Organisations) (Revocation) Regulations 2011 2011/3056 19 December 2011 The Merchant Shipping (Ship Inspection and Survey Organisations) Regulations 1996 23 January 2012 
			    SI 1996/2908  
			      
			 The Severn Bridges Tolls Order 2011 2011/3060 20 December 2011 The Severn Bridges Tolls Order 2010 1 January 2012 
			    SI 2010/3002  
			      
			 The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2011 2011/3065 21 December 2011 The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 14 January 2012 
			    SI 2011/427  
			      
			 The Railways(Interoperability) Regulations 2011 2011/3066 22 December 2011 The Railways(Interoperability) Regulations 2006 (SI 2006/397) and the Railways (Interoperability) (Amendment) Regulations .2007.(SI 2007/3386) 16 January 2012 
		
	
	The Impact Assessment for the Bus Service Operators Grant (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 identified savings for the Government of around £17.4 million per year (in 2010 prices) arising from the revocation of the Bus Service Operators Grant (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2003. This revocation is the only one where the Impact Assessment expressly identifies a quantifiable saving to the public purse.
	Savings to the public purse associated with the revocation of other Regulations or Orders cannot be identified without incurring disproportionate costs, in particular because of the further analysis that would be required.
	Unpublished instruments, such as orders imposing temporary traffic restrictions, have not been considered for the purposes of answering this question as to do so would also incur disproportionate costs.

Rescue Services: Clydesdale

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how the Maritime and Coastguard Agency proposes to cover the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) Clyde Coastguard district during the period between the closure of the MRCC in Greenock and the introduction of the national network.

Michael Penning: In order to ensure that Her Majesty's Coastguard maintain at least the same quality of search and rescue service as at present the interim arrangements between the closure of Clyde Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) and the introduction of the 'National Network' will use our current systems and existing pairing/quadrant arrangements.
	Existing business continuity plans require MRCC Belfast to cover the MRCC Clyde area of responsibility. HM Coastguard will utilize its quadrant capability to enable MRCC Stornoway to take responsibility for part of the current MRCC Clyde area of responsibility in partnership with MRCC Belfast.
	Quadrant capability enables each of the MRCCs in Belfast, Clyde and Stornoway to have access to all of the radio sites in the areas covered by the three MRCCs.
	These interim measures will be robustly tested prior to the closure of the MRCC Clyde and appropriately resourced when implemented.

Rescue Services: Clydesdale

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment she has made of the ability of staff at Belfast and Stornoway to cover the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre Clyde coastguard area on a full-time basis.

Michael Penning: Her Majesty's Coastguard has established a working group of serving coastguards from the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres (MRCC) at Clyde, Belfast and Stornoway to support the transfer of MRCC Clyde's area of responsibility.
	This will involve the development of procedures, utilizing processes that have been used during previous MRCC closures, to ensure the capability exists at MRCCs Belfast and Stornoway to maintain at least the same quality of search and rescue service as at present.
	It should be noted that current business continuity plans require MRCC Belfast to utilize the existing pairing arrangements with MRCC Clyde to cover its area of responsibility.
	Current quadrant capability also enables each of the MRCCs in Belfast, Clyde and Stornoway to have access to all of the radio sites in the areas covered by the three MRCCs.
	In the future the 'National Network' will enable the Maritime Operations Centre and all other coastguard centres to co-ordinate any incident around the UK coast.

Rescue Services: Clydesdale

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment she has made of the potential risks arising during the period between the closure of the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre Clyde and the introduction of the national network; and what steps the Maritime and Coastguard Agency is taking to mitigate any such risks.

Michael Penning: In order to ensure that Her Majesty's Coastguard minimises risk and maintains at least the same quality of search and rescue service as at present the interim arrangements between the closure of Clyde Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) and the introduction of the ‘National Network' will use our current systems and existing pairing/quadrant arrangements.
	A working group of serving coastguards from the MRCCs at Clyde, Belfast and Stornoway will enable the transfer of responsibility for the MRCC Clyde work load to be managed by MRCCs Stornoway and Belfast. The transfer to a national concept of operations will be part of the process of changing the technical architecture at all MRCCs.

Travel: Prices

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether she plans to take steps to encourage airlines and travel companies to reduce the price of flights and holidays in the school holidays; and if she will make a statement.

Theresa Villiers: holding answer 6 March 2012
	The Government do not get involved in the level of fares set by UK airlines or travel companies. We recognise that there is an increase in demand during various times of the year and the supply of available seats during these periods is limited and can result in higher ticket prices. This reflects the normal operation of a market where the supply of the commodity, in this case aircraft capacity, is limited.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Agricultural Wages Board

Daniel Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects to consult on proposed changes to the Agricultural Wages Board; and if she will make a statement.

James Paice: DEFRA is currently working on preparations with a view to consultation on the future of the Agricultural Wages Board. I hope to be able to confirm details soon.

Animal Welfare: Pigs

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the effect of the sow stall and tether ban on UK pig providers; and if she will make a statement.

James Paice: The Government have made no assessment of the impact of the EU sow stall and tether bans on the UK pig industry, as pig producers' investment in new systems was completed in 1999, to comply with the UK's unilateral ban that year on the use of tethers and close-confinement stalls for breeding sows.

Bureaucracy

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to include environmental regulations in the Red Tape Challenge.

Richard Benyon: The Environment theme has been open for comment on the Red Tape Challenge website since April 2011, with a ‘spotlight’ period in September 2011. The Government expect to announce their proposals on this theme by the end of March 2012.

Departmental Computers

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many tablet computers her Department purchased in each of the last five years.

Richard Benyon: Core DEFRA has not purchased tablet computers in any of the last five years.

Flood and Waste Management Act 2010

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects to implement the provisions of the Future Flood and Waste Management Act 2010 relating to bad debt; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Benyon: We are currently consulting on draft regulations which, if issued, would bring into force the provision on bad debt—in section 45 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010. Mindful of the small burden this provision will impose on landlords, we are also consulting on an alternative, voluntary option. We will decide on next steps using the evidence gathered in the consultation.

Food: Supermarkets

Brian H Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to encourage supermarkets to redistribute food waste to help reduce food poverty in areas of high deprivation.

James Paice: We strongly encourage supermarkets to work with organisations that redistribute surplus food to help reduce food poverty, to assist the homeless, and to provide access to nutritional meals to those who may otherwise struggle. Some retailers have arrangements in place with charities, such as FareShare, to collect and redistribute their surplus food.
	There may be opportunities for redistribution of surplus food from the supply chain, as well as from supermarkets. In December 2011, the Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my noble Friend Lord Taylor of Holbeach, wrote to organisations representing food producers to encourage them to consider working with redistribution charities.
	We will also continue to work with grocery manufacturers and retailers to reduce food waste via phase two of the Courtauld Commitment, a responsibility deal managed by the Waste and Resources Action Programme on behalf of DEFRA and the devolved Administrations.

Lyme Disease

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to eradicate the ticks which cause Lyme disease.

James Paice: Lyme disease is a disease of humans and prevention measures are mainly for the Department of Health to consider. Prevention of disease is by the avoidance of tick bites and this can be achieved with the appropriate use of insect repellents.
	As this is not primarily an animal health issue, DEFRA has no plans to eradicate ticks that are capable of transmitting Borrelia burgdorferi infection to people. The possibility of successfully eradicating ticks from the wider environment is uncertain and is not being considered.
	Animal keepers are recommended to regularly treat their pets and livestock for ticks as part of responsible animal ownership and routine animal health and welfare practice, as ticks can transmit a variety of animal pathogens.

Marine Conservation Zones

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the Government’s formal consultation on marine conservation zones will take place before the end of 2012.

Richard Benyon: DEFRA is planning to hold a three-month public consultation on marine conservation zones starting in December 2012.

Nature Improvement Areas

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether nature improvement areas will be introduced with any guidance for local authorities and communities on their role within the wider planning process.

Richard Benyon: The natural environment White Paper makes it clear that local authorities will be able to use local planning to support nature improvement areas, including identifying them in their local plans where they choose, while not deterring sustainable development. The Government are considering how to take forward planning guidance across a range of matters. In doing so, the Government are considering carefully all the submissions that have been made in response to the consultation on the draft National Planning Policy Framework which asked for views about supporting guidance.

Nitrate Vulnerable Zones

Guy Opperman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the effect on farmers of nitrate vulnerable zones regulations on slurry storage.

James Paice: The implementation date for the increased storage requirements was 1 January 2012, when it became compulsory for farmers in NVZs to have sufficient storage capacity for the slurry their farms produce. The 2008 regulations which set this out were accompanied by an impact assessment.
	As part of a review of the implementation of the nitrates directive in England, which is currently ongoing, we have provided evidence on both the environmental and economic effect of the existing NVZ regulations on slurry storage.
	Included with the ongoing consultation documents (available on the DEFRA website) is evidence on both the environmental and economic effect of the above NVZ regulations on slurry storage. The environmental benefit of five months storage was estimated as leading to a reduction of leaching by 0.5% to 1.5%. The cost of compliance with the NVZ slurry storage regulations is the dominant cost to farmers of the Action Programme. A case study was included in the evidence to illustrate the cost of increasing to five months storage: a 110 dairy cow herd with only three months slurry storage. The capital costs of providing sufficient storage ranged between £32,470 and £39,843.
	The Farm Practice Survey 2011 data on slurry storage illustrate that on dairy farms (not all of which were in NVZs), 26% had less than four months storage, and 61% had four to six months storage, the remaining 13% having more than six months storage. The NVZ Action Plan requirement is five months storage.

Water Charges

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the cost to (a) the public purse and (b) an individual consumer of water and sewerage services for the next financial year in (i) the UK, (ii) England, (iii) the west midlands and (iv) Dudley borough.

Richard Benyon: In England and Wales private companies are licensed to provide water and sewerage services and recover the costs of providing those services by billing customers. Ofwat and the Consumer Council for Water are funded through customer bills. There is therefore no cost to the public purse from these services. Ofwat forecasts the average household combined water and sewerage bill in 2012-13 to be £374 in England (£376 in England and Wales) and £326 in Severn Trent Water's area, which serves the west midlands and Dudley. Northern Ireland and Scotland run different systems and figures for the UK are available only at disproportionate cost.

Water Charges

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with ministerial colleagues in HM Treasury on the effect of the level of the retail prices index level of inflation on the cost of water and sewerage services in the next financial year; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Benyon: The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Meriden (Mrs Spelman), has frequent discussions with Cabinet colleagues.
	As the regulator for the water industry, Ofwat challenges companies' proposed bill rises and approves each company's charges scheme, having set price limits on a five yearly basis. Water companies are obliged to submit their planned price adjustments to Ofwat for approval each year ahead of confirming them to their customers.
	The most recent price review was in 2009 and this set price limits at 0.5% above inflation to allow companies to make the necessary investment to secure water supplies and infrastructure. The next price review will be in 2014 and will cover price limits from 2015 to 2020.
	Bills have been tied to inflation since privatisation. This makes sense as when inflation is higher, water companies' costs will increase as, for example, the costs of materials, staff, contractors and energy could all increase. By tying bills to inflation Ofwat ensures that companies can raise sufficient finance to meet their promises on service to customers. This has delivered around £90 billion of investment since privatisation. As is the case with all other regulated sectors, Ofwat uses the retail prices index as its measure of inflation.

EDUCATION

Academies

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many officials of his Department work on the brokerage of sponsored academies; and how many such officials are being recruited to such roles.

Nick Gibb: There are currently 37 FTE officials in DFE in the Department's Brokerage and Underperformance Divisions. There are currently three vacancies in this area of the Department that we are taking steps to fill.

Children: Health

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will assess research into the level of self control of a child as a predictor of well-being and attainment and its implication for his policies.

Tim Loughton: There are currently no plans to commission any new research or an assessment of existing research on this specific issue.

Children's Centres

Andrew Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of introducing payment-by-results in children's centres.

Sarah Teather: We are running a trial to explore the feasibility of introducing payment by results in children's centres. The trial, involving 27 local authorities, began in summer 2011 and will run until March 2013. The trials will generate an evidence base about the advantages and disadvantages of different approaches and will help to inform an assessment of effectiveness.

Departmental Data Protection

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will publish details of the six data loss cases which involved either personal data loss or a breach of confidentiality in 2011; and what measures were taken to resolve each such case.

Tim Loughton: holding answer 6 March 2012
	Details of the six data loss cases in 2011 are given in the following table.
	
		
			 Date Type of breach (how it happened) Type of data involved Measures taken to resolve the loss 
			 Personal data loss incidents    
			 1 January 2011 Document posted to wrong address Name, address and financial details for two external individuals making Home Access application Steps taken to retrieve from recipient. Procedures reviewed and additional quality checks added when posting to applicants 
			 25 January 2011 Document posted to wrong address Name address and financial details of one external individual relating to a retirement application Apology sent to recipient. Member of staff sent for retraining 
			     
			 Breach of confidentiality incidents (no personal data involved)    
			 14 February 2011 Departmental work sent by e-mail to a Hotmail account Correspondence from the Department for Education to a member of the public Warning issued to policy official and additional training in data handling planned 
			 13 May 2011 Stolen 3(rd) party laptop with Departmental data Anonymised data on exam results Reported to police, Advice given about the Department's laptop encryption standards 
			 8 August 2011 Document e-mailed to wrong address Sensitive project papers Apology given to recipient and e-mail deleted. Note sent to staff on procedures for e-mailing sensitive material 
			 23 August 2011 Stolen documents. Briefcase stolen in restaurant Documents with Restricted marking and some staff contact details Reported to police

Departmental Ethnic Minority Staff

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many and what proportion of senior civil servants in his Department were from an ethnic minority in March (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012; and if he will make a statement.

Tim Loughton: Figures for the number of SCS members of the Department who declared they were from an ethnic minority are as follows:
	
		
			 Date Percentage of SCS Number 
			 31 March 2010 2.5 <5 
			 31 March 2011 4.2 5 
			 29 February 2012(1) 3.1 <5 
			 (1) Information for March 2012 is not yet available.

Departmental Ministers' Private Offices

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many full-time equivalent staff at each Civil Service grade are employed in his private Ministerial office; and what the cost is of their annual salaries.

Tim Loughton: holding answer 28 February 2012
	As at 31 January 2012 (the latest published information), the number of staff in the Private Office of the Secretary of State for Education, my right hon. Friend the Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove), was 10 FTE, at a total annual salary cost of £366,061.

Early Education

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what estimate he has made of the number of extra early years workers required to deliver 15 free hours of early education to 40% of two-year-olds.

Sarah Teather: We are pleased that the extension of free early education will make a significant contribution to economic growth through the creation of new jobs in the sector. As part of our planning for the introduction of the new entitlement, we are continuing to scope the workforce implications and how many extra jobs will be created, and no firm estimate is yet available.
	We will continue to work closely with our co-production partners and a number of sector organisations, both to check our analysis and to gather their views on the workforce and other delivery issues.

Early Education

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what funding he plans to provide for recruitment of early years workers.

Sarah Teather: The recruitment and employment of early years workers is a matter for local employers, including a wide range of public, private, voluntary or independent sector organisations. The Government continue to support employers in this, not least in recognition of the challenging economic climate. We created the early intervention grant (EIG), worth £2,365 million in 2012-13, to give local authorities flexibility in the way they use their funding, including whether or not they choose to provide financial support to employers in relation to the recruitment and/or employment of staff. Local authorities obviously need to make decisions at local level, based on their priorities and the needs of the communities in their area.
	In addition, we continue to fund specific programmes at the national level which help recruitment to the sector, for example the Early Years Professional Status and the National Professional Qualification in Integrated Centre Leadership programmes. This will be worth around £25 million in 2012-13. We are also working closely with the sector through our co-production process to consider how we might support them further.

Education: Non-departmental Public Bodies

Andrew Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what progress he has made on abolishing education quangos.

Tim Loughton: So far the Department for Education has abolished four non departmental public bodies (NDPBs) including the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency, Teachers TV Board of Governors, School Support Staff Negotiating Body and the Independent Advisory Group for Teenage Pregnancy.
	A further seven bodies will cease to be NDPBs on 31 March 2012 including the Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency, Young Peoples Learning Agency, Training and Development Agency for Schools, General Teaching Council for England, National College for School Leadership, Children's Workforce Development Council and Partnerships for Schools. Four new Executive Agencies are being established which will take on some of the responsibilities of those NDPBs. The Standards and Testing Agency began operating in October 2011. The Education Funding Agency and the Teaching Agency are due to open in April 2012, and the National College for School Leadership will become an Executive Agency in April 2012.
	The School Food Trust, a former DFE NDPB, has become a Community Interest Company and an independent charity.

Families

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will commission research on the effects of parents moving to less stressful jobs on (a) the quality of family life and (b) children's subjective well-being.

Tim Loughton: The Department is not planning to commission research on this topic.

Free Schools

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 
	(1)  whether he plans to measure the satisfaction of parents with the service provided by (a) free schools, (b) academies and (c) local authority-run schools; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  if he will offer (a) free schools, (b) academies and (c) local authority-run schools financial incentives or rewards to improve parent satisfaction with the service provided; and if he will make a statement.

Tim Loughton: holding answer 8 March 2012
	The views of parents remain an important part of the evidence for Ofsted school inspections. The launch of Ofsted's Parent View website means that views of parents can also be used to inform the timing of inspections. There are no plans for direct financial incentives or rewards to improve parent satisfaction beyond the funding mechanisms that already exist. Achievement of parent satisfaction is already an expectation of the outcomes of schools alongside achieving the best range of outcomes for their pupils.

GCSE: Denton

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many children received A* to C grades in GCSE (a) mathematics, (b) English, (c) geography and (d) sciences in Denton and Reddish constituency in each of the last five years.

Nick Gibb: The information requested can be found in the following table:
	
		
			 Numbers and percentages (1)  of pupils (2,3)  at the end of key stage 4 achieving A*-C grades in mathematics, English, geography and science (4)  GCSEs (5,6)  in Denton and Reddish constituency (7) , north-west region (8)  and England (9) —Years: 2006/07 to 2010/11. Coverage: England 
			 Numbers and percentages of KS4 pupils achieving A*-C in: 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 
			 Mathematics      
			 Denton and Reddish (number) 806 794 770 791 675 
			 Denton and Reddish (percentage) 57.0 56.6 59.3 63.6 63.5 
			 North West (number) 46,911 48,301 47,147 50,733 51,410 
			 North West (percentage) 52.6 55.1 56.6 62.0 64.5 
			 England (number) 322,941 334,905 338,133 360,233 368,720 
			 England (percentage) 53-9 56.2 58.7 62.5 65.3 
			       
			 English      
			 Denton and Reddish (number) 776 760 798 800 740 
			 Denton and Reddish (percentage) 54.9 54.2 61.5 64.4 69.6 
			 North West (number) 50,979 52,134 51,267 54,482 55,664 
			 North West (percentage) 57.1 59.4 61.5 66.5 69.9 
			 England (number) 349,086 357,982 358,135 382,870 392,102 
			 England (percentage) 58.3 60.1 62.1 66.5 69.4 
			       
			 Geography      
			 Denton and Reddish (number) 208 182 140 142 148 
			 Denton and Reddish (percentage) 14.7 13.0 10.8 11.4 13.9 
			 North West (number) 12,874 12,578 11,910 12,085 11,918 
			 North West (percentage) 14.4 14.3 14.3 14.8 15.0 
			 England (number) 103,592 101,350 97,759 98,098 96,364 
			 England (percentage) 17.3 17.0 17.0 17.0 17.1 
			       
			 Science (3)      
			 Denton and Reddish (number) 612 735 724 652 576 
			 Denton and Reddish (percentage) 43.3 52.4 55.8 52.5 54.2 
			 North West (number) 40,468 46,888 47,990 46,689 44,752 
			 North West (percentage) 45.3 53.4 57.6 57.0 56.2 
			 England (number) 280,096 328,703 348,685 345,156 333,005 
			 England (percentage) 46.8 55.2 60.5 59.9 59.0 
			 (1) Percentages are based on all pupils at end of key stage 4 in each area. (2) Figures do not include pupils recently arrived from overseas. (3) Figures include all maintained schools (including CTCs and academies). (4) Pupils who achieved A*-C at GCSE in at least one of the following subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Biological sciences, Single science, Double science, Additional science. Core science and Applied science for the years 2008/09 to 2010/11 and in Physics, Chemistry, Biological sciences, Single science, Double science for the years 2006/07 and 2007/08. (5) Full GCSEs only have been included (Full GCSEs, double awards, accredited international certificates and their predecessor iGCSEs). Figures from 2006/07 to 2008/09 exclude iGCSEs, 2009/10 and 2010/11 figures include accredited iGCSEs. (6) Including attempts and achievements by these pupils in previous academic years. (7) Parliamentary constituency figures are based on the postcode of the school. (8) Regional figures are based on the region of the local authority maintaining the school. (9) England figures are the sum of all local authority figures. Source: National Pupil Database (2006/07 to 2009/10 final data, 2010/11 revised data)

Members: Correspondence

David Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Education when he expects to reply to the letter of 1 February 2012 from the hon. Member for Walsall North concerning a constituent, reference 2012/0008558.

Tim Loughton: holding answer 1 March 2012
	The Department has received a large number of letters about the Action for Children campaign on child neglect and we will reply as soon as possible.

Ministers' Private Offices

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 
	(1)  how much his private office spent on newspapers, periodicals and trade profession publications in the last 12 months;
	(2)  how much his private ministerial office has spent on stationery in the last 12 months.

Tim Loughton: holding answer s  27 and 28 February 2012
	The overall spend in DFE private office on stationery in the 12 months to the end of January 2012 was £59,460, of which £10,865 was spent on newspapers, periodicals and trade or professional publications.

National Curriculum in England Review

David Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what contracts have been let in respect of the work of the working group for the National Curriculum Review; which such contracts have been extended; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Gibb: Professors Mary James, Andrew Pollard and Dylan Wiliam were contracted to be members of the National Curriculum Review Expert Panel. These contracts started on 29 November 2010 and were initially due to end on 30 September 2011, but were subsequently extended to end on 5 December 2011. Tim Oates was seconded to the Department to chair the expert panel. His secondment commenced on 1 September 2010. The work of the expert panel concluded on 5 December and its report was published on 19 December. Tim Oates's secondment has been extended until 31 August 2012 to enable him to continue to advise the Department as the review progresses.

Ofsted: Inspections

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many schools in (a) the Leeds North West constituency and (b) Leeds received an outstanding result from Ofsted in the last three years.

Nick Gibb: This is a matter for Ofsted. HM chief inspector, Sir Michael Wilshaw, has written to the hon. Member, and a copy of his response has been placed in the House Libraries.
	Letter from Sir Michael Wilshaw, dated 6 March 2012
	Your recent parliamentary question has been passed to me, as Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, for response.
	Since 2005, maintained school inspections have been carried out under section 5 of the Education Act 2005 and, more recently, the Education Act 2011. Ofsted records all judgements made by inspectors in section 5 inspections, including the judgement for overall effectiveness of the school.
	Maintained schools inspected under section 5 include nursery, primary, secondary (including academies and city technology colleges), special schools and pupil referral units.
	Table A below shows the number of maintained schools judged outstanding for overall effectiveness at their section 5 inspection during the academic years 2008/09 to 2010/11 inclusive in Leeds North West constituency, Leeds local authority and England (for comparison).
	In September 2009, Ofsted implemented a policy of more proportionate inspection using risk assessment as an aid to scheduling the inspection of good and outstanding schools. We deliberately set out to inspect a greater proportion of previously satisfactory or inadequate schools each year and a smaller proportion of previously good or outstanding schools. The sample of schools inspected is therefore skewed and means that comparisons between years should be treated with caution as some changes are due to the very different sample of schools inspected during the different periods.
	In September 2010, Ofsted deferred the inspections of previously outstanding schools and as a result of the Education Act 2011 is no longer routinely inspecting previously outstanding schools. These schools will not be inspected unless a complaint has been raised or the risk assessment process identifies these schools would benefit from an inspection.
	Statistics covering the outcomes of all inspections carried out in each academic year since 2008/09 can be found at:
	http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/resources/advanced-resources-search/results/Maintained%20schools/2/all/any/200/any
	The most recent official statistics release covering the outcomes of maintained school inspections carried out between 1 July 2011 and 30 September 2011 was released on 13 December 2011 and can be accessed at the same link.
	A copy of this reply has been sent to Nick Gibb MP, Minister of State for Schools, and will be placed in the library of both Houses.
	
		
			 Table A: Schools in England, Leeds local authority and Leeds North West constituency judged outstanding for their overall effectiveness in each academic year ,  2008/09 to 2010/11 
			 Number of schools 
			  Academic year 
			  2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 
			 Leeds North West 1 0 0 
			 Leeds 16 9 3 
			 England 1,327 782 617 
			 Total inspections 7,065 6,171 5,726

Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what funding (a) his Department and (b) its agencies provided for continuous professional development in Personal Social Health and Economic education in each of the last five financial years; and what funding (i) his Department and (ii) its agencies will provide for continuous professional development in Personal Social Health and Economic education in each of the next five financial years.

Nick Gibb: The Department has provided £4,640,821 over the last five years for PSHE education in schools. This includes continuous professional development, and can be broken down as follows:
	
		
			  £ 
			 2007/08 724,578 
			 2008/09 1,596,260 
			 2009/10 1,028,700 
			 2010/11 1,091,283 
			 2011/12 200,000 
		
	
	The Department is continuing to fund the PSHE Association in 2012-13 financial year which will include continuous professional development. Grants have not been agreed for any future years.

Primary Education: Admissions

Andrew Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much the Government plans to spend on creating extra primary school places in the current Parliament.

Nick Gibb: For the current spending period we intend to make available over £4 billion to local authorities to support the provision of pupil places. It is for local authorities to decide how best to allocate that funding to meet local needs.

Schools: Admissions

Andrew Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he is taking to ensure that more parents secure a place for their child at their first choice school.

Nick Gibb: Figures from 2011 show that almost 85% of parents were offered a place in their first preference school, with 95% offered a place at one of their top three. That is why we are working to increase the supply of good school places by the rapid expansion of the academies programme, establishing more free schools, and giving all schools more freedom to expand. Our school reforms will raise standards and create more good schools. We are turning around underperforming schools that are failing their pupils and we are encouraging the best and brightest into teaching. It is vital that all parents have the opportunity to send their child to an excellent local school of their choice.

Schools: Assessments

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what provision is made in (a) state and (b) other schools for teaching to prepare students for sixth term examination papers.

Nick Gibb: The Department does not hold information on sixth term examination papers (STEP) provision as they do not form part of an accredited qualification. According to the Cambridge assessment website, in 2011 the most popular paper was taken by fewer than 1,200 students. We have increased funding for a further mathematics support programme which will provide training for mathematics teachers to enable them to prepare their students for STEP examinations.
	STEP examinations are routinely required of students offered conditional places on mathematics courses at the university of Cambridge. Warwick university requires students to sit either a STEP paper or an advanced extension award and some other institutions, including Bristol, Oxford and Bath, encourage applicants to take STEP papers where they are available.
	The Faculty of Mathematics at Cambridge organises a four-day course at Easter for students from non-selective, state, UK schools that are unable to provide STEP support. This course is funded jointly by the Cambridge colleges and the Sutton Trust.

Schools: Inspections

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many inspections have been undertaken by Ofsted of services sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions in each of the last five years.

Nick Gibb: holding answer 8 March 2012
	This is a matter for Ofsted. HM Chief Inspector, Sir Michael Wilshaw, has written to the hon. Member and a copy of his response has been placed in the House Libraries.
	Letter from Sir Michael Wilshaw, dated 6 March 2012
	Your recent parliamentary question has been passed to me, as Her Majesty's Chief Inspector, for response.
	Providers sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) were inspected under the Common Inspection Framework under Chapter 3 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006.
	Table A shows the number of inspections of DWP-sponsored providers carried out by Ofsted in each of the last five academic years.
	Ofsted ceased to inspect DWP contracted employment provision as of 16 August 2010. This was further to a request from Ministers that Ofsted discontinue these inspections from that date.
	A copy of this reply has been sent to Nick Gibb MP, Minister of State for Schools, and will be placed in the library of both Houses.
	
		
			 Table A: Number of Ofsted inspections of services sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions in England, in each academic year 2006/07 to 2010/11 
			 Academic year Total inspections 
			 2006/07 49 
			 2007/08 76 
			 2008/09 78 
			 2009/10 54 
			 2010/11 0

Schools: Transport

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what recent representations he has received on increasing provision of free transport to schools.

Tim Loughton: The Department does not collect data on the numbers of representations received on individual areas of home to school transport. Decisions on how much provision is required, any charging policy and its implementation, are the responsibility of local authorities. Local authorities already spend more than £1 billion in supporting children, including those with special education needs, in getting to and from school safely. The Department is aware, that some local authorities are now charging for transport to school for non-statutory provision where previously it had been free, as they look to make savings. We are looking for ways to help local authorities to make those savings, more efficiently and effectively, including better use of planning and procurement, while ensuring that those families who need support to get their children to school can get it. The Secretary of State provided £85 million for 2011-12 and 2012-13 to help local authorities meet their legal duties in respect of families on low incomes.

Science: GCSE

Chris Skidmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 
	(1)  how many and what proportion of pupils were entered for GCSEs in each of the three separate sciences in (a) comprehensive, (b) selective and (c) independent schools in each year since 1997;
	(2)  how many pupils entered by (a) comprehensive schools, (b) selective schools and (c) independent schools for GCSEs in (i) biology, (ii) chemistry and (iii) physics obtained a Grade C or above in each year from 1997 to 2011.

Nick Gibb: The information requested has been placed in the House Libraries.

Teachers: Recruitment

Andrew Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he is taking to attract the brightest graduates to teaching.

Nick Gibb: We are committed to recruiting the very best graduates into teaching, securing better value in initial teacher training (ITT), and reforming training so that more ITT is led by schools and teacher training focuses on the most important elements of being a teacher.
	We set out the action we will be taking to help attract more of the highest achieving graduates into teaching in “Training our next generation of outstanding teachers: Implementation plan”, published in November 2011. These include:
	using bursaries of up to £20,000 to attract the best graduates in the subjects where they are most needed;
	setting a higher bar for entry to ITT courses, making sure new teachers ail have sound English, mathematics and subject knowledge;
	expanding the successful Teach First programme which places highly able graduates to work in challenging schools;
	encouraging Service Leaders to become teachers through a new Troops to Teachers programme;
	placing more emphasis on selection processes and trainee quality in making judgments about a teacher training provider's quality; and
	introducing new routes into teaching which will make it easier for schools to employ the qualified teachers with the range of skills that they need.

Teaching Methods

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will commission an assessment of the effectiveness of the Good Behaviour Game programme.

Tim Loughton: We have no plans to commission an assessment of the Good Behaviour Game programme. This Government believe that strong discipline and good behaviour in schools are essential if pupils are to achieve at school and grow up to be responsible members of society. Our view is that it is for schools to decide for themselves the support and materials that will meet the needs of their pupils.

TED TV

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make an assessment of the potential of TED TV to inform and educate British pupils.

Nick Gibb: The Department for Education has not carried out a formal assessment of the potential of TED TV in education. However, the Government recognise the value of new online delivery channels, which can offer pupils access to some of the best resources and lessons in the world, both within and beyond the classroom.
	The Government encourage schools to use technology in imaginative and effective ways to build the knowledge, understanding and skills that young people need for further study and the workplace. We are committed to giving schools greater autonomy to drive their own improvement. This includes using their professional judgment in implementing new technologies and digital resources, based on local needs and context.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Departmental Ethnic Minority Staff

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many and what proportion of senior civil servants in his Department were from an ethnic minority in March (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012; and if he will make a statement.

Owen Paterson: Since April 2010, when policing and justice functions were devolved to the Department of Justice NI, no senior civil servants in my Department were from an ethnic minority.

EU Grants and Loans

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with the (a) Minister for Europe, (b) Irish Government and (c) Northern Ireland Executive on the future of EU funding programmes (i) Northern Ireland Competitiveness and Employment Programme, (ii) European Social Fund Programme, (iii) Peace III Programme, (iv) Interreg IVA Cross-Border Programme, (v) Interreg IVB and IVC Programmes, (vi) International Fund for Ireland, (vii) Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme, (viii) European Fisheries Fund, (ix) Seventh Framework Research Programme, (x) Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme, (xi) Progress Programme, (xii) Lifelong Learning Programme, (xiii) Youth in Action, (xiv) Life + (Environment), (xv) Culture Programme, (xvi) Europe for Citizens, (xvii) Media 2007 and (xviii) EU Health Programme.

Owen Paterson: I have regular discussions with the Minister for Europe, Ministers in the Northern Ireland Executive and Ministers in the Irish Government on a range of issues.

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Council Tax

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps he is taking to help keep council tax bills down.

Eric Pickles: Under the last Government, council tax more than doubled. This Government are working with councils to freeze council tax for two years. A recent survey by CIPFA indicates that council tax bills this April will only change by 0.3%. This is a real-terms tax cut for hard-working families and pensioners.
	The final out-turn figures will be published by my Department later this month.

Council Tax: Redcar and Cleveland

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the percentage change in band D council tax was in Redcar and Cleveland local authority area in each year since 2001.

Bob Neill: Details of the average change in band D area council tax (including parish precepts) in Redcar and Cleveland local authority area in each year since 2001 are shown in the following table.
	These data are available on the Department for Communities and Local Government website under Related Downloads at:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/localgovernment/localregional/localgovernmentfinance/statistics/counciltax/
	
		
			 Band D area council tax (including parish precepts) in Redcar and Cleveland 
			  £ % increase 
			 2001-02 1,081 0.0 
			 2002-03 1,108 2.5 
			 2003-04 1,132 2.2 
			 2004-05 1,214 7.2 
			 2005-06 1,273 4.9 
			 2006-07 1,332 4.7 
			 2007-08 1,383 3.8 
			 2008-09 1,459 5.5 
			 2009-10 1,516 3.9 
			 2010-11 1,556 2.6 
			 2011-12 1,556 0.0

Council Tax: Students

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what discussions he has had with (a) other Ministers, (b) local authority leaders and (c) the Local Government Association on reviewing the council tax exemption for students.

Bob Neill: I refer the hon. Member to the minutes of a meeting, held on 18 October 2011, between Ministers and the Local Government Association, which has been published on the Department for Communities and Local Government website in response to a Freedom of Information request:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/corporate/foi/disclosure-log/
	However, as I clearly indicated in my answer of 25 November 2011, Official Report, column 605W, the Government have no plans to change the rules governing the long-standing council tax exemption for full-time students. This remains the case.
	The sole changes we propose to make to council tax discounts and exemptions relate to empty and second homes, as explained in the written ministerial statement of 31 October 2011, Official Report, column 24WS.
	For the avoidance of doubt, we do not support the amendments to the Local Government Finance Bill, tabled by the hon. Member for Sheffield South East (Mr Betts) to (a) make students liable for council tax and (b) levy business rates on student landlords (Notice of Amendments given on 26 January 2012, New Clauses 17 and 18).

Day Centres: Fees and Charges

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many local authorities have increased charges (a) for the use of day centres and (b) for transport to day centres in 2011-12; and how many local authorities plan to increase such charges in 2012-13.

Bob Neill: The information requested is not held centrally.

Diamond Jubilee 2012: Medals

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans he has to extend eligibility for the Queen's Jubilee Medal to fire service personnel based in control rooms.

Bob Neill: I acknowledge and pay tribute to the challenging and vital role that fire and rescue control room staff play every day in contributing to the safety of their community. However, for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee medal, all sponsoring Government Departments are adhering to the same criteria, used for the Queen's Golden Jubilee medal in 2002. Across all emergency services, only those personnel who are called to attend emergencies, potentially placing themselves in danger and with at least five years service as of 6 February 2012 are eligible to receive the medal.
	As for the Golden Jubilee Medal, chief fire officers have a degree of latitude to recommend for the Queens Diamond Jubilee medal those individual fire control staff who by virtue of their role meet the criteria.

Employment Schemes: Yorkshire and the Humber

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which sub-contractors have been employed by the main Work programme contractors in each part of the four unitary authorities in former Humberside; whether each such sub-contractor is a (a) charity, (b) limited company and (c) social enterprise; and on what date each such sub-contractor started its contract.

Chris Grayling: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.
	The two prime providers in the Yorkshire and the Humber contract package area are G4S and Newcastle College. Their sub-contractors, correct at 30 January 2012, are as follows:
	
		
			 G4S 
			 Sub-contractor Sector 
			 Addaction Voluntary 
			 ADL Environmental Private 
			 ADS Addiction Dependency Solutions Voluntary 
			 ATL (Yorkshire) Ltd Private 
			 Belina Consulting Ltd (Take Three Days) Private 
			 Business in the Community Voluntary 
			 Business Training Ventures Ltd Private 
			 Citizens Advice Bureau Voluntary 
			 City Works (Construction Hull Works Ltd) Private 
			 Catch 22 Voluntary 
			 Cleanslate National CiC (Cleanslate) Voluntary 
			 Debt Advice Network Voluntary 
			 Dyslexia Action Voluntary 
			 East Riding County Council Public 
			 EDUC8 Leicestershire Ltd (EDUC8) Private 
			 E-Mentoring Ltd Private 
			 Enterprise Growth Solutions Ltd Private 
			 Everyday Skills Ltd T/A Ease Private 
			 Ex-Mil Recruitment Ltd Private 
			 Future Prospects Public 
			 Gingerbread Voluntary 
			 Groundwork Wakefield Voluntary 
			 Hays Specialist Recruitment Private 
			 Healthy Cross Community Project Voluntary 
			 Horton Housing Association Voluntary 
			 Hull Community and Voluntary Service Voluntary 
			 ImpAct Universal Ltd Private 
			 Inspire 2 Independence (Training) Ltd Private 
			 Ixion Holdings Ltd Private 
			 Just Education and Training (JET) Ltd Private 
			 Langley House Trust Voluntary 
			 Learning Light Ltd Private 
			 Leonard Cheshire Disability Voluntary 
			 Meridian Business Support Ltd Private 
			 Nacro Voluntary 
			 National Housing Federation Voluntary 
			 N-ergy Group Ltd Private 
			 North Yorkshire Learning Consortium Voluntary 
			 Northern Refugee Centre Voluntary 
			 NSA for Retail (National Skills Academy) Private 
			 Outshine Ltd Private 
			 Pay and Employment Rights (Yorkshire) Ltd Voluntary 
			 Peach Orator Ltd Private 
			 People 1st Private 
			 Pertemps Private 
			 R2W Ltd (Right to Write) Private 
		
	
	
		
			 REGO Solutions Ltd Private 
			 Regular Forces Employment Association (REFA) Voluntary 
			 Rehab Works Ltd Private 
			 Remploy Public 
			 Renovo Employment Group Private 
			 RNIB Voluntary 
			 Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI) Voluntary 
			 Royal Mencap Society (Mencap) Voluntary 
			 Sanctuary Group (Sanctuary Housing) Voluntary 
			 Skills for Care Voluntary 
			 SOVA (Supporting Others through Volunteer Action) Voluntary 
			 Square Orange Associates Ltd Private 
			 STAR (Training and Consultancy) Ltd Private 
			 Stepdirect Ltd Private 
			 The Mind Consortium Voluntary 
			 The Minerva Project Voluntary 
			 The Prince Initiative for Mature Enterprise (PRIME) Voluntary 
			 The Princes Trust Voluntary 
			 The Salvation Army Trustee Company Voluntary 
			 Ufi/Learndirect Private 
			 Urbanbiz Private 
			 Voluntary Action North Lincolnshire Voluntary 
			 WISE Ability Ltd Voluntary 
			 Yes2Ventures Ltd (South Yorkshire CMP) Private 
			 Yorkshire Coast Enterprise Voluntary 
			 Yorkshire Colleges Consortium Public 
		
	
	
		
			 Newcastle College Group 
			 Sub-contractor Sector 
			 3SC Voluntary 
			 Barnardo’s Voluntary 
			 Business Support and Development Voluntary 
			 Future Prospects Public 
			 Igen Private 
			 Intraining Private 
			 NFEA Voluntary 
			 Skills for Communities Voluntary 
			 Yorkshire Coast Enterprise Voluntary 
		
	
	The Department does not hold information relating to whether each sub-contractor is a charity, limited company or a social enterprise. Neither can we confirm the dates that each sub-contractor started its contract as arrangements between providers and their
	supply chains is a commercial matter between the interested parties.

Empty Property

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of the 38,000 empty homes brought back into use by (a) former tenure and (b) English local authority in the last year.

Andrew Stunell: holding answer 8 March 2012
	Figures on the number of empty homes in each English local authority district in each year from 2004 to 2011 are shown in live table 615, which is published on the Department for Communities and Local Government's website at the following link. This table also shows the number of empty homes in the local authority and housing association tenures. Figures on the number of empty homes specifically in the private sector are not available.
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/housingresearch/housingstatistics/housingstatisticsby/stockincludingvacants/livetables/
	These figures give the position at a point in time and make it possible to calculate the net change from year to year but it is not possible to provide data on individual dwellings.

Floods: Insurance

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the potential cost to (a) his Department and (b) English local authorities of the ending of the Statement of Principles agreement with the Association of British Insurers on flood defence insurance.

Bob Neill: Further to the written ministerial statement of 19 December 2011, Official Report, column 140-41WS, my Department is working closely with DEFRA and HM Treasury to ensure flood insurance remains widely available, which is the objective of the existing Statement of Principles. We are working towards an announcement in the spring of a new shared understanding which sets out more clearly what customers can expect from their insurer, and from Government. Accordingly, we cannot yet assess the cost of the successor arrangements to the Department or local government.

Landlords: Registration

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will undertake a national consultation of local authorities to gain their views on the merits of a statutory register of private sector landlords.

Andrew Stunell: The Government believe that the current legislative framework governing residential renting in the private sector strikes the right balance between the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants. We therefore have no plans to consult on additions to the framework, including a statutory register of private landlords.

Local Government Finance

Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will increase resources available to local authorities to help with the transition to the National Planning Policy Framework.

Greg Clark: The National Planning Policy Framework will radically simplify the policies that local authorities need to take into account when plan-making. The regime we inherited was needlessly bureaucratic for everyone involved in the planning system. We are taking steps to make it easier for councils to produce up-to-date local plans.

Non-domestic Rates

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he expects to publish the business rate returns for 2011-12.

Bob Neill: Details of the amount of national non-domestic rates local authorities in England expected to collect in 2011-12 were published on the DCLG website on 25 May 2011. The statistical release can be found here:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/localgovernment/localregional/localgovernmentfinance/statistics/nondomesticrates/forecast/
	It is planned that a statistical release giving details of the amount of national non- domestic rates collected by local authorities in England in 2011-12 will be published on the DCLG website in August 2012. A precise date will be published on both the UK National Statistics publication hub,
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/hub/index.html
	and DCLG websites nearer the time.

Planning Permission: Appeals

Daniel Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if his Department will take steps to ensure that local communities can appeal against planning decisions granted by a local authority.

Greg Clark: Local councils are representatives of their communities, with local and neighbourhood plans reflecting the views of local people. We want more decisions to be taken locally in line with local plans rather than relying on a system where, as has come to be the case, too many decisions are taken out of the hands of local people and made by a remote appeals system.

Planning Permission: Sustainable Development

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether he applied the definition of sustainable development recommended by the Communities and Local Government Select Committee when drafting the National Planning Policy Framework.

Greg Clark: We are considering very carefully the recommendations from the Communities and Local Government Select Committee and responses from the consultation on the draft National Planning Policy Framework regarding the definition of sustainable development. We will publish our response to the Communities and Local Government Select Committee and the analysis of consultation responses when the final framework is published.

Urban Areas: Rents

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if his Department will take steps to encourage private sector landlords to offer reduced rents to businesses who wish to acquire an empty high street shop; and if he will make a statement.

Grant Shapps: The Government are fully committed to supporting high streets and we recognise the negative impact that empty properties have on the high street and town centres. Rents sought by private landlords are for the most part directed by market forces and it is in the interests of landlords to offer competitive rents in order to lease their property. The Government's response to the Portas review into the future of the high street will be published in the spring. This response will outline the key initiatives that the Government are launching to support the address of empty properties and the high street overall.

Voluntary Organisations: Nottinghamshire

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what powers he has to instruct Nottinghamshire county council to abandon its plans to cut funding to the voluntary sector; if he will take such steps as are open to him to secure the abandonment of those plans; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Stunell: In January 2012, in response to representations by the voluntary and community sector, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, the right hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr Pickles), wrote to Nottinghamshire county council. He asked the council to ensure that they properly took account of the statutory Best Value guidance which sets out clearly the way that councils should work with the voluntary sector.
	A copy of the council’s reply is on its website at:
	http://www3.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/thecouncil/democracy/finance/conversation/voluntarysector/
	The guidance is statutory and related to the duty of Best Value which, introduced by section 3 of the Local Government Act 1999, is a general duty that requires authorities to
	“make arrangements to secure continuous improvement in the way in which its functions are exercised, having regard to a combination of economy, efficiency and effectiveness.”
	It makes clear that authorities should consider overall value—including social value—when considering service provision.

Voluntary Organisations: Nottinghamshire

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will publish his communications with Nottinghamshire county council about their plans to cut funding to the voluntary sector; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Stunell: Nottinghamshire county council has published the letter on its own website, along with its response, at:
	http://www3.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/thecouncil/democracy/finance/conversation/voluntarysector/
	Best Value is a statutory duty and the guidance is a statutory document. It is a tool to help communities and the voluntary sector hold councils to account, and councils should be clear in how they are making spending decisions and prioritising funding.
	I also refer the hon. Member to my answer of 6 December 2011, Official Report, columns 247-48W, on the steps my Department is undertaking to support the local voluntary, community and social enterprise sector.

CABINET OFFICE

Charities: Annual Reports

Stephen McCabe: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps are taken by the Charity Commission to ensure that all the annual returns submitted by charities are accurate.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Charity Commission. I have asked the commission's chief executive to reply.
	Letter from Sam Younger CBE, dated 2 March 2012
	.
	The majority of the 162,000 charities on the Register simply have to provide the Commission with basic information about changes to their registered details. Our online service automatically checks that the information charities provide is valid at the point at which it is entered. For example, we check dates of birth to ensure that an individual is of a legal age to be a trustee; address details to ensure they are recognised by the Royal Mail; and email addresses to ensure these are in a valid form. In addition, our system ensures that at least one set of trustees' details is provided and that trustees give their full name.
	Charities with an income of £500,000 or more have to provide additional financial data to the Commission. Our online service checks that figures provided add up and will flag up information that is potentially incorrect; for example, a charity with a relatively low income that claims to have a large number of employees. Commission staff will examine other potential errors or anomalies in a charity's financial information. We also check a sample to ensure consistency between charity accounts and annual returns.
	Furthermore, we may check the contents of annual returns in the event of an ongoing case involving a particular charity.
	In general, charity trustees are responsible for ensuring that the information in their annual return is accurate. By displaying the majority of this information on the public register, the Commission encourages charities to check this information before it is placed in the public domain. Although some charities will make mistakes, our online service and manual checking normally identify the majority of errors.

Childbirth

Stephen Lloyd: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 
	(1)  how many live births there were in Northern Ireland in each quarter since the first quarter of 2001;
	(2)  how many live births there were in Scotland in each quarter since the first quarter of 2001;
	(3)  how many live births there were in Wales in each quarter since the first quarter of 2001;
	(4)  how many live births there were in England in each quarter since the first quarter of 2001.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated March 2012
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent questions asking:
	1. how many live births there were in Northern Ireland in each quarter since the first quarter of 2001. 99110
	2. how many live births there were in Scotland in each quarter since the first quarter of 2001. 99126
	3. how many live births there were in Wales in each quarter since the first quarter of 2001. 99127
	4. how many live births there were in England in each quarter since the first quarter of 2001. 99128
	Figures for live births have been compiled from birth registration data. The following table shows live births by quarter from 2001 to 2011 in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
	
		
			 Quarterly numbers of live births in the UK by constituent country, 2001-11 
			   England (1) Wales (1) Scotland Northern Ireland 
			 2001 Q1 137,790 7,696 13,535 5,796 
			  Q2 141,177 7,517 12,897 5,348 
			  Q3 145,140 7,729 13,166 5,557 
			  Q4 139,637 7,674 12,929 5,261 
			       
			 2002 Q1 135,920 7,332 12,374 5,304 
			  Q2 139,805 7,351 12,625 5,334 
			  Q3 147,114 7,854 13,219 5,542 
			  Q4 142,870 7,668 13,052 5,205 
			       
			 2003 Q1 139,944 7,457 12,764 5,350 
			  Q2 147,276 7,817 12,905 5,392 
			  Q3 154,461 8,327 13,758 5,590 
			  Q4 148,170 7,799 13,005 5,316 
			       
			 2004 Q1 147,349 7,784 13,459 5,677 
			  Q2 149,579 7,785 13,341 5,435 
			  Q3 156,934 8,440 13,832 5,786 
			  Q4 153,322 8,316 13,325 5,420 
			       
			 2005 Q1 146,383 7,838 13,356 5,530 
			  Q2 151,798 7,915 13,557 5,700 
			  Q3 161,425 8,667 14,226 5,918 
			  Q4 153,422 8,173 13,247 5,180 
			       
			 2006 Q1 151,358 8,118 13,568 5,822 
			  Q2 157,841 8,281 14,039 5,765 
			  Q3 166,011 8,835 14,181 6,090 
			  Q4 160,538 8,394 13,902 5,595 
			       
			 2007 Q1 155,873 8,095 14,209 6,144 
			  Q2 160,983 8,500 14,269 5,994 
			  Q3 172,221 9,126 14,929 6,450 
			  Q4 166,280 8,693 14,372 5,863 
			       
			 2008 Q1 164,954 8,748 15,105 6,534 
			  Q2 167,944 8,962 14,875 6,333 
			  Q3 173,189 9,185 15,520 6,450 
			  Q4 166,722 8,755 14,541 6,314 
		
	
	
		
			       
			 2009 Q1 160,486 8,419 14,505 6,322 
			  Q2 166,426 8,633 14,866 6,291 
			  Q3 172,241 8,947 15,258 6,330 
			  Q4 171,905 8,938 14,417 5,967 
			       
			 2010 Q1 165,853 8,790 14,669 6,443 
			  Q2 167,471 8,590 14,742 6,292 
			  Q3 176,451 9,233 14,910 6,412 
			  Q4 177,232 9,339 14,470 6,168 
			       
			 2011 Q1(2) 166,300 8,700 14,613 6,698 
			  Q2(2) 170,700 8,800 14,708 6,156 
			  Q3(2) 176,800 9,000 15,216 6,481 
			  Q4(2) — — 14,055 — 
			 (1) Provisional figures for England and Wales are rounded to the nearest 100. (2) Provisional.

Citizenship: Young People

Gareth Johnson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many children in Dartford constituency participated in the National Citizen Service scheme in (a) 2010 and (b) 2011.

Nick Hurd: The first Government National Citizen Service pilots were held in summer 2011.
	We are currently collating information on number of National Citizen Service participants in the 2011 pilots. This information will be available shortly, including data for Kent.

Employment

Helen Jones: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the net change in (a) public sector and (b) full-time equivalent private sector jobs has been in each region of England since May 2010.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated March 2012
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking, what the net change in (a) public sector and (b) full-time equivalent private sector jobs has been in each region of England since May 2010.
	Regional estimates of public and private sector employment are not available from the Office for National Statistics on a full-time equivalent basis.
	Official estimates of public sector employment for each region of England, by headcount, are published on a quarterly basis by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) as part of the Public Sector Employment statistical bulletin.
	Estimates of private sector employment are not routinely produced by region, but were recently published on a headcount basis on 1 March 2012, as part of an article entitled 'Regional Analysis of Public Sector Employment 2011'.
	The requested data are shown at Table 1. Table 1 shows the net change in employment for both the public and private sectors, on a headcount basis, between Q1 2010 (March) and Q3 2011 (December).
	
		
			 Table 1: Net change in public and private sector employment Q1 2010 to Q3 2011 (1) 
			 Head count (thousand), not seasonally adjusted 
			  English Region 
			 All employees North West North East Yorkshire and the Humber West Midlands East Midlands East of England London South East South West 
			 Public Sector -44 -24 -25 -29 -20 -32 -41 -40 -54 
			 Private Sector(2,3) 87 1 11 33 74 116 132 77 98 
			 (1) Estimates calculated based on the change in level of employment between Q1 2010 and Q3 2011. (2) Estimates are based on where people are employed. (3) Estimated as the difference between Labour Force Survey (LFS) total employment (all in employment aged 16 and over) and the data from public sector organisations. LFS data refer Q1 to February to April, Q2 to May to July, Q3 to August to October and Q4 to November to January. Source: Office for National Statistics

Fraud

Liam Byrne: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when he expects guidance on passing on allegations of fraud to Ministers to be ready.

Francis Maude: A review of existing guidelines by the Cabinet Secretary is under way.

Homes and Communities Agency: Statistics

Paul Uppal: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 
	(1)  what discussions the UK Statistics Authority have had with representatives of the BBC on the issue of Homes and Communities Agency statistics during 2011;
	(2)  what media briefings the UK Statistics Authority gave to the BBC on the issue of Homes and Communities Agency statistics.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Sir Michael Scholar, dated 9 March 2012
	and (ii) what media briefings the UK Statistics Authority gave to the BBC on the issue of Homes and Communities Agency statistics [99410].
	The UK Statistics Authority received one telephone enquiry from a representative of the BBC asking for an Authority view on the release of statistics produced by the Homes and Communities Agency on 22 November 2011. The Authority responded by confirming that it would wish to review any particular statistical issues or concerns that were raised before commenting further. The Authority also received a copy of a letter from the Hon. Member for Birmingham Erdington to the Minister of State for Housing and Local Government dated 24 November 2011.
	The UK Statistics Authority independently reviewed the issues raised in BBC news articles published on 23 and 24 November 2011, and in the correspondence dated 24 November 2011. The Authority subsequently wrote to the Minister of State for Housing and Local Government, under section 16 of the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007, on 6 December 2011. The Authority notified the Minister of the Authority's wish to conduct a formal assessment of statistics produced by the Homes and Communities Agency and the Tenant Services Authority against the Code of Practice for Official Statistics. Under section 16 of the Act, the Minister, as the appropriate authority, is required to provide the Statistics Authority with a statement as to whether he intends to make a request for such an assessment. No reply has yet been received.
	There has also been recent related correspondence on other matters concerning housing statistics.
	Correspondence is published on the Authority's website at:
	http://www.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/reports---correspondence/correspondence/index.html

Meetings

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will publish the minutes and meetings of his Transparency Board since May 2010; and if he will make a statement.

Francis Maude: Appropriately all minutes of meetings held by the Transparency Board since May 2010 have already been published and are available to view on:
	www.data.gov.uk

Public Appointments

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office which Government Departments have appointed champions or czars; and what the (a) role and (b) terms and conditions of service are of each.

Francis Maude: The information requested is not held centrally.

Public Sector: Pay

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many (a) civil servants and (b) other people whose salaries are paid from the public purse in Shropshire earned a basic salary greater than £100,000 per annum in the latest period for which figures are available.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many (a) civil servants and (b) other people whose salaries are paid from the public purse in Shropshire earn a basic salary greater than £100,000 per annum in the latest period for which figures are available. (99191)
	The Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), carried out in April each year, is the most comprehensive source of earnings information in the United Kingdom. It is a sample of all employees who are members of pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) schemes.
	Annual levels of earnings are estimated from the ASHE, and are provided for all employees on adult rates of pay, who have been in the same job for more than a year. ASHE methodology cannot be used to provide estimates of the numbers of employees whose earnings are more than a specific amount, but can be used to provide estimates of percentage of employees in that category.
	Reliable statistics cannot be produced from ASHE on the number of public sector employees with gross annual earnings greater than £100,000 in Shropshire due to the relatively small sample size of public sector employees at this geographical breakdown.
	The Annual Civil Service Employment Survey provides information on earnings and employment in the Civil Service. This survey shows that there were no Civil Servants in Shropshire earning above £100,000 in March 2011.

Senior Civil Servants: Pay

Nick Brown: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what representations he has received from organisations representing the collective interests of civil servants on the use of tax avoidance schemes and personal service companies by senior civil servants.

Francis Maude: I have received no such representations.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Africa

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  if he will commission research into the potential effects of illegal fishing in African waters on levels of piracy in that region;
	(2)  if he will take steps at (a) EU and (b) international level to assess the scale and source of illegal fishing in African waters.

Henry Bellingham: There are already a number of international studies which are relevant to these questions, such as the UN Report of the Secretary-General on the protection of Somali natural resources and waters, published on 25 October 2011, and the Department for International Development commissioned report entitled the Review of Impacts of Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing on Development Countries. A recent UN scoping mission to West Africa also investigated the impact of illegal fishing off the coast of West Africa. The British Government support the publishing of such studies, as they provide an insight into the scale and source of illegal fishing in African waters, and into the impact of this on levels of piracy. At this moment in time, we do not consider additional research into this matter to be necessary.

Bahrain

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on the Bahraini Government's policies towards non-governmental organisations.

Alistair Burt: I receive regular reports about the situation in Bahrain from our embassy in Manama and officials in London are in regular contact with non-governmental organisations concerned about the situation there. We continue to urge the Bahraini Government to ensure they adhere to international standards on human rights and that access to the country is freely allowed where there is no legitimate reason to refuse entry.

Bahrain

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Bahraini Government on non-governmental organisations in Bahrain.

Alistair Burt: I have recently spoken to both the Deputy Prime Minister of Bahrain and the Bahraini ambassador in London about a wide range of issues including the implementation of reforms and offering our assistance where appropriate. Our ambassador in Manama specifically raised the situation of non-governmental organisations with the Bahraini Foreign Minister during his meeting on 8 March.

Bahrain

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on steps taken by the Bahraini Government to act upon the recommendations proposed by the Bassiouni Commission on 23 November 2011.

Alistair Burt: I receive regular updates on the progress the Bahraini Government have made since the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry report was published. We are encouraged by the steps that have been taken so far. In an act of transparency, the Bahraini Government have established a website:
	www.govactions.bh
	so that developments can be tracked against each recommendation. In accepting the Commission's findings, the King undertook to act fully on their recommendations and we will hold the Government to this.

Bahrain

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with (a) the Bahraini Government, (b) non-governmental organisations in Bahrain, (c) his international counterparts and (d) others on the recommendations proposed by the Bassiouni Commission on 23 November 2011.

Alistair Burt: We frequently discuss the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry report with the Bahraini Government, non-governmental organisations and other international partners. The discussion between the Prime Minister and the King during his visit to the UK in December 2011 focused on the King's plans to implement reforms in the country. I also held similar talks during my visit to Bahrain that same week with various members of the Bahraini Government and also with members of the opposition and Bahraini civil society.

Bahrain

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Bahraini government on the recommendations proposed by the Bassiouni Commission on 23 November 2011.

Alistair Burt: I raised the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry report (BICI) during my visit to Bahrain in December in meetings with the Crown Prince, Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and other key interlocutors. I have subsequently talked to the Deputy Prime Minister on a number of occasions to discuss latest developments and progress made. I welcomed the Bahraini Government's commitment to implement the report's recommendations and urged them to do so rapidly and in full. I will continue to discuss the BICI report with the Bahraini Government at every opportunity.

Bahrain

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received on reports that Bahrain is in violation of a number of articles of international conventions relating to human rights; what assessment he has made of such reports; and what assessment he has made of the effect of such reports on the political and economic ties between the UK and Bahrain.

Alistair Burt: We continue to raise the importance of Bahrain meeting all its human right obligations and our ambassadors in Manama and Geneva have raised this on many occasions.
	As a long-standing ally, we will continue to pursue a policy of direct and frank engagement with Bahrain to achieve our shared goal of long-term stability in the kingdom.

Bahrain

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with (a) his Bahraini counterpart, (b) the Government of Saudi Arabia and (c) others on equality between (i) men and women and (ii) Sunnis and Shias in Bahrain.

Alistair Burt: We continue to raise a variety of human rights issues with the Bahraini authorities, including gender equality and religious discrimination. Our embassy in Riyadh has also discussed the situation in Bahrain with the Saudi Arabian Government.

British Overseas Territories

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many officials from his Department have visited (a) St Helena and (b) Tristan da Cunha in the last 12 months.

Henry Bellingham: British Government officials regularly visit St Helena and Tristan da Cunha. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office Director for the Overseas Territories visited St Helena in May 2011.

Colombia

Robert Flello: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which peace and civil society organisations ministerial colleagues will be meeting on the forthcoming visit to Colombia.

Jeremy Browne: During my visit to Colombia, I am due to meet representatives from Christian Aid, Oxfam, Save the Children, Colectivo de Abogados José Alvear Restrepo (CAJAR) and Movimiento Nacional de Victimas de Crímenes de Estado (MOVICE) to hear their current appraisal of the Santos government and the human rights situation in Colombia.

Departmental Ethnic Minority Staff

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many and what proportion of senior civil servants in his Department were from an ethnic minority in March (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012; and if he will make a statement.

Henry Bellingham: 86% of senior civil servants in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have supplied information about their ethnicity. Based on this information, the proportion of senior civil servants in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) who are from an ethnic minority background was as follows:
	3.3% on 1 March 2010
	3.5% on 1 March 2011
	4.0% on 1 March 2012

Egypt

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  whether (a) Ministers and (b) officials of his Department have had discussions with (i) the United States Department of State, (ii) the US Ambassador to the UK, (iii) other American officials, (iv) the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, (v) the Egyptian Ambassador to the UK and (vi) other Egyptian officials on Youssef Boutros-Ghali;
	(2)  whether he has received representations from (a) the United States Department of State, (b) the Ambassador of the United States of America to the UK, (c) other American officials, (d) the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, (e) the Egyptian Ambassador to the UK and (f) other Egyptian officials concerning Youssef Boutros-Ghali.

Alistair Burt: The Government do not comment on discussions or representations in relation to particular individuals.

EU Accession

Stephen Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the progress made by Bulgaria and Romania against post-EU accession benchmarks.

David Lidington: The latest interim reports on Bulgarian and Romanian progress were published on 8 February 2012. The report on Romania was broadly positive, noting an increase in the number of convictions for high level corruption, and the adoption of a code of conduct for conflicts of interests in the management of public funds. However, the report pointed to the need to improve the record on recovering proceeds of crime.
	The reports noted that the Bulgarian Specialised Court and Prosecution Office on Organised Crime were now up and running, and the Commission for Identification of forfeiture of criminal assets was beginning to deliver significant results. But much more needs to be done, for example in improving transparency in the Supreme Court, and improving accountability within the judiciary and investigative authorities. The full text of the reports can be accessed at:
	http://ec.europa.eu/cvm/progress_reports_en.htm
	The Council Conclusions adopted by the General Affairs Council on 28 February 2012 reflected the UK's views, and represented a fair assessment of the reports:
	http://ec.europa.eu/cvm/key_documents_en.htm

Guatemala

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on death threats and aggression against members of the Verapaz Union of Peasant Farmer Associations and the communities it supports in Guatemala.

Jeremy Browne: Our embassy in Guatemala City monitors closely the human rights situation in the country. Our staff there are in contact with both the Verapaz Union and Peace Brigades International (PBI), a non governmental organisation, which works closely with the Verapaz Union about threats made to their members. We also work with PBI in the UK on this issue, as well as with the EU. We welcome the new Guatemalan Government's commitment to upholding human rights. We will continue to monitor the human rights situation in Guatemala and to raise concerns with the Guatemalan Government. We most recently did so on 7 March with Guatemala's Attorney-General, Claudia Paz y Paz.

Lesotho

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many officials in his Department are responsible for Lesotho; and where they are located.

Henry Bellingham: There is one London-based desk officer whose responsibilities include covering Lesotho. The non-resident high commissioner and deputy high commissioner to Lesotho are based in the British high commission in Pretoria. Other officials in Pretoria cover Lesotho as necessary.

Libya

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what recent discussions he has had with the Libyan authorities on the release of British journalists held in that country;
	(2)  what steps he is taking to secure the release of British journalists held in Libya.

Alistair Burt: Our ambassador to Tripoli has consistently raised the case with the Libyan authorities at a senior level. We have sought, and received, assurances that the two British nationals will be handed over to the appropriate authorities as soon as possible and that they should be able to seek legal representation should any charges be brought against them. We hope the handover will happen soon and will continue to press the authorities as necessary. Consular staff continue to provide assistance to the detainees and their families, in line with our policy.

Libya

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure that those responsible for the attacks on a British war cemetery in Libya are brought to justice.

Alistair Burt: British embassy officials immediately visited the sites and raised this issue with the Libyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Benghazi Chief of Police. Our ambassador also raised our concerns with the Deputy Foreign Minister, the Minister of Interior and the offices of National Transitional Council Chairman Abdul Jalil and Prime Minister al-Kib. In response to these incidents, Foreign Minister Khayyal and Chairman Abdul-Jalil made statements condemning the attacks, and the Transitional Government have published a statement on their official website, describing the damage as “unethical, irresponsible and criminal” and making clear that the Libyan Government “severely denounces such shameful acts and vows to find and prosecute the perpetrators according to Libyan law”. The Libyan authorities have instructed the police to make regular patrols to ensure no further attacks occur. We will continue to reiterate to the Libyan authorities the importance of a thorough investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Libya

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the development of new political parties in Libya; what support his Department is providing to such parties; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: After over 40 years without democratic elections or political parties, the development of new parties is still at an early stage, although the enthusiasm for forming groups is high. We are currently funding a number of projects aimed at encouraging women and youth engagement in the political process and are providing a contribution to the UN’s electoral assistance programme, which will begin to address some of the issues the Libyans face in holding elections to a National Congress. Full legislative elections are not scheduled until 2013. We will be considering support in this area as part of our programme for assistance in the coming financial year.

Lockerbie: Bombings

Denis MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure that the Lord Advocate's letter to the Libyan government on Lockerbie is acted upon.

Alistair Burt: Our ambassador in Libya has encouraged the Libyan authorities to respond to the Lord Advocate's letter requesting Libyan co-operation with the Lockerbie investigation under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty between the UK and Libya when he handed the letter over to Libyan Foreign Minister on 21 February. The Government will continue to press the Libyan Transitional Government for a positive and timely response.

Lockerbie: Bombings

Denis MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will ask the Libyan Government to publish all documents, letters, records of meetings and other material relating to the Lockerbie bombing.

Alistair Burt: The Government will continue to urge the Libyan Transitional Government to co-operate with the Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary's open investigation into the Lockerbie bombing, including allowing access to information and individuals relevant to their investigation.

Macedonia

Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment his Department has made of Macedonia's prospects for NATO membership.

David Lidington: The UK is a strong supporter of Macedonia's ambitions to join NATO. We welcome the progress they have made through the Membership Action Plan process and we hope to welcome the country into the alliance as soon as possible. Macedonia is a valued participant in NATO-led operations in Afghanistan. The NATO summit in Bucharest in 2008 concluded that Macedonia would be invited to join as soon as a mutually acceptable solution to the name issue with Greece had been found. This position was reaffirmed at the Lisbon summit in 2010, and in the NATO Foreign Ministers Communiqué of December 2011.

Maldives

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many UK nationals requested consular support in the Maldives in the last month.

Alistair Burt: Between 7 February and 7 March 2012, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office provided consular assistance or advice in relation to 16 British nationals in the Maldives.

North Korea

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the government of North Korea on (a) human rights and humanitarian concerns, (b) access to that country for the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in North Korea since the death of Kim Jong-il and (c) access to that country for the International Committee of the Red Cross and other humanitarian organisations.

Jeremy Browne: Since the death of Kim Jong-il, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the right hon. Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), has not had discussions with the Government of North Korea on the issues of human rights and humanitarian concerns, access for the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in North Korea, and access for the International Committee of the Red Cross and other humanitarian organisations. However, I met the North Korean ambassador to London on 29 February 2012 and raised our concerns on human rights. I also spoke at the Westminster Hall debate on human rights in North Korea in January and made the British Government view on North Korea's human rights record quite clear. We brought this debate to the attention of the North Korean Government.
	In March, Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials raised the question of access to North Korea for the UN Special Rapporteur with the North Korean ambassador to London. While we have not recently raised the specific issue of access for the International Committee of the Red Cross and other humanitarian organisations, we will look for opportunities to do so. We also remain in close contact with aid organisations operating in North Korea, including the World Food Programme, a Food and Agriculture Organisation.

North Korea

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the level of religious freedom in North Korea.

Jeremy Browne: I met the North Korean ambassador to the UK on 29 February and made clear to him that the UK remains very concerned about the humanitarian and human rights situation, including religious freedom in North Korea. This is why the UK regularly co-sponsors an annual North Korea-specific resolution in the UN General Assembly on human rights. It is also why we welcomed last month's report to the UN Human Rights Council by the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in North Korea. We continue to urge North Korea to allow the UN Special Rapporteur to North Korea to be allowed to visit the country to assess the situation.

Palestinians: Prisoners

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise with the Israeli Government the detention of Palestinian prisoners without charge or trial.

Alistair Burt: We continue to encourage the Israeli authorities to comply with their obligations under international law, including in their policies on detention and the treatment of Palestinian prisoners.
	I raised Israel’s extensive use of administrative detention most recently with the Israeli ambassador to London on 23 February and the Deputy Israeli Foreign Minister on 27 February. Our officials in Tel Aviv also regularly raise concerns with the Israeli authorities over the use of administrative detention and the treatment of prisoners.

Serbia: Ghana

Denis MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has held with the Commonwealth Secretariat on the expulsion by Serbia of the ambassador of Ghana.

David Lidington: Despite media reporting regarding the absence of the Ghanaian ambassador to Serbia, I am not aware of official statements from either Government clarifying the situation. I have held no discussions with the Commonwealth Secretariat on the issue.

Serbia: Kosovo

Stephen Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to encourage Serbia to improve relations and co-operation with Kosovo.

David Lidington: Ministers and officials use every opportunity to encourage Serbia to improve relations and co-operation with Kosovo. We do so in our bilateral meetings, by repeatedly reiterating our strong support for the EU-facilitated dialogue between the two countries, and by ensuring that the EU conditionality which requires potential EU candidates to ensure good neighbourly relations and regional cooperation, is upheld. We also encourage Serbia to demonstrate a constructive and responsible approach to relations with Kosovo in regional and international fora.

Serbia: Kosovo

Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of recent developments in negotiations between Serbia and Kosovo and the effect of those developments on Serbia's bid for EU candidate status.

David Lidington: A meeting of the EU-facilitated dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo took place from 22-24 February 2012 where agreement was reached on Kosovo's participation in regional forums and a technical protocol concluded on implementation of an agreement on management of the border between Kosovo and Serbia. These developments are very welcome for the benefits they will bring to citizens, stability in the region, and in enabling both countries to realise their EU ambitions.
	The 28 February 2012 General Affairs Council assessed that Serbia had met the necessary conditions on Kosovo—part of which included reaching the agreements on regional forums and border management—and recommended granting EU candidate status to Serbia. The 1-2 March 2012 European Council confirmed this decision. We welcomed this outcome and hope Serbia will continue to make further progress in its relations with Kosovo.

Sri Lanka

Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many unsuccessful asylum seekers have been forcibly removed to Sri Lanka other than by charter flight since May 2009.

Damian Green: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Home Department.
	It is not possible to say what stage in the asylum process the nationals of any country have reached at the time of their removal, including whether their claim has failed at that point and are failed asylum seekers, because those departing voluntarily can do so at any stage without notifying the UK Border Agency. For this reason, the answer can provide only the number of asylum cases removed.
	Central management systems do not distinguish the number of enforced removals from the UK from the number of voluntary departures after enforcement action had been initiated.
	It is not possible to identify from the available published data how many removals were made by means other than charter flights.
	The following table shows the total number of enforced removals and notified voluntary departures of asylum cases from the UK to Sri Lanka from May 2009 to December 2011.
	
		
			 Enforced removals and notified voluntary departures (1, 2, 3)  of asylum cases (4) ; to Sri Lanka (5) , May 2009 to December 2011 
			 Number of departures 
			  May 2009 to December 2009 2010 (6) 2011 (6) 
			 Enforced removals and notified voluntary departures to Sri Lanka 23 247 413 
			 (1) Due to a reclassification of removal categories, figures include asylum removals performed by UK Border Agency officers using in-country powers of removal and a small number of cases dealt with at juxtaposed controls. (2) Figures include people leaving under facilitated return schemes. (3) Removals and voluntary departures recorded on the system as at the dates on which the data extracts were taken. (4) Figures include dependants. (5) Destination as recorded on source database. (6) Provisional figures. Figures will under record due to data cleansing and data matching exercises that take place after the extracts are taken. 
		
	
	The Home Office publishes quarterly and annual statistics on the number of persons removed or departed voluntarily from the UK within Immigration Statistics. The data on removals and voluntary departures are available in the latest release, Immigration Statistics: October—December 2011, tables rv.01 to rv.08, from the Library of the House and from the Home Office Science, research and statistics web pages at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/science-research/research-statistics/migration/migration-statistics1/

St Helena

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his South African counterpart on the provision of broadband internet connection in St Helena.

Henry Bellingham: The provision of telecommunications is the responsibility of the St Helena Government. We are aware that a South African company has set out plans to lay a fibre-optic cable connecting South Africa and Brazil and that the Government of St Helena has had initial discussions with them about the feasibility and costs of a link to St Helena. If the developers proceed with the project then a full economic assessment would be needed to consider the extent of the economic and social benefits that such a link could bring to St Helena.

St Helena

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to increase the provision of broadband internet connection in St Helena; and if he will make a statement.

Henry Bellingham: The provision of telecommunications within the Overseas Territories is an area of devolved responsibility. On St Helena, it is the responsibility of the St Helena Government. In 2010, support from the British Government funded an increase in bandwidth to enable students and teachers at the secondary school in St Helena, Prince Andrew High School, adult students at the Adult and Vocational Education College, and the hospital to benefit from faster internet speeds and distance-learning.

Turkey

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will discuss with his Turkish counterpart the number of journalists being held in Turkish prisons without charge.

David Lidington: The UK Government share the concerns expressed by the Council of Europe, the Organisation for Security and Co-Operation in Europe and others over issues surrounding freedom of expression in Turkey.
	The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), and I discussed this issue with Egemen Bagis, the Turkish Minister for European Union Affairs at a meeting on 1 March 2012.
	We welcome the Turkish Government’s recent proposals on judicial reform as an important step towards improving freedom of expression and are encouraged by the fact that further reforms are planned. Along with our EU partners, we will continue to press for further progress on this urgent issue.

Uganda

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received about the arrest of Joseph Kony on a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court in 2005; and if he will make a statement.

Henry Bellingham: The Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) is an issue of serious concern and we receive regular representations about the need to arrest Joseph Kony so that he can face justice in the International Criminal Court (ICC).
	The British Government condemn in the strongest possible terms the atrocities carried out by the LRA. Although much reduced in numbers, it remains an unprincipled and violent threat to civilians and regional security. Britain is a strong supporter of the ICC, and reminds all states of their obligations to co-operate with the Court, in particular on the issue of enforcement of the Court's arrest warrant. Those currently fugitive from the ICC, such as Kony, must be reminded that they will face justice.

Western Sahara

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on those administering power in the (a) unoccupied zone and (b) occupied Western Sahara.

Alistair Burt: Morocco exercises de facto control over part of the territory of Western Sahara. The UK does not regard any country as administering de facto that part of the territory of Western Sahara not under Moroccan control.

Western Sahara

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government recognises a de jure Administering Power in Western Sahara.

Alistair Burt: The British Government do not recognise a de jure Administering Power in Western Sahara.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Action for Employment: Fraud

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he was made personally aware of the allegations of fraud at A4e.

Chris Grayling: Ministers were advised of these allegations in autumn 2011.

Action for Employment: Fraud

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when (a) the Minister for Employment and (b) senior officials of his Department were made aware of the allegations of fraud at A4e.

Chris Grayling: Senior officials were formally notified of the fraud allegations in February 2011. Ministers were advised of these allegations in autumn 2011.

Carer’s Allowance: North West

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in Denton and Reddish constituency were in receipt of carer's allowance in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11.

Maria Miller: The number of recipients of carer's allowance in Denton and Reddish parliamentary constituency is shown as follows:
	
		
			 As at May each year Total 
			 2011 830 
			 2010 760 
			 2009 800 
			 Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. Totals show the number of people in receipt of an allowance, and excluded people with entitlement where the payment has been suspended for example if they are in hospital. 3. These figures are published on the Department's Tabulation Tool at: http://83.244.183.180/100pc/ca/tabtool_ca.html Source: DWP Information, Governance and Security Directorate Work and Pension Longitudinal Study 100% data.

Children: Maintenance

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of child support cases that are dealt with manually.

Maria Miller: The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission is responsible for the child maintenance system. I have asked the child maintenance commissioner to write to the right hon. Member with the information requested and I have seen the response.
	Letter from Noel Shanahan
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Child Maintenance Commissioner.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the number of child support cases that are being dealt with manually.
	A number of Child Support Agency cases are maintained on an electronic ‘Clerical Case Database’ due to technical issues that mean they cannot be processed on the main computer system.
	Information about the Clerical Case Database is published on page 13 of the Quarterly Summery of Statistics. The latest version is available at the following link:
	http://www.childmaintenance.org/en/pdf/qss/QSS_dec_2011.pdf
	which shows the number of cases from the current computer system being managed off system has increased from 101,800 in September 2011 to 103,000 in December 2011.
	Whilst the increase in the number of cases which become stuck and need costly handling off system has slowed, the problems of maintaining the two existing Child Support Agency schemes, particularly those relating to the current IT system introduced in 2003, are well documented.
	Consequently, we propose to move to a new scheme, replacing the two current schemes and using income data from HM Revenue and Customs tax records, supported by a new IT system. The new scheme will support more efficient and effective administration of child maintenance for those parents who cannot reach their own family-based arrangements.

Departmental Consultants

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which consultancy reports were produced by (a) audit and (b) management consulting firms for his Department in (i) 2010 and (ii) 2011.

Chris Grayling: Reports are a key deliverable for all consultancy and audit projects commissioned by the Department.
	In 2008-09 the Department spent £72.8 million on business consultancy services. This figure reduced to £18.2 million in 2010-11. This represents a total reduction of 76% compared to 2008-09 spending levels and spending continues to fall. In the first nine months of the current financial year the Department spent £3.51 million on business consultancy.
	The Department monitors all expenditure to drive out inefficiencies and deliver value for money for the taxpayer.
	Lists of all consultancy and audits projects commissioned in (i) 2010 before May, and (ii) from May 2011 onwards, are provided in the following tables:
	
		
			 Consultancy and audit projects awarded in 2010 
			 Contract title From To Supplier Value (£) 
			 Resource Management IT Healthcheck 1 January 2010 30 June 2011 NSG 90,000.00 
			 Jobcentre Plus Financial Information System Capability Review 4 January 2010 12 February 2010 Capgemini 25,000.00 
			 Olympic and Paralympic Legacy Plan 4 January 2010 12 March 2010 Atkins 25,000.00 
			 Undertake a Review of Data Centre Migration Approach 11 January 2010 25 January 2010 PricewaterhouseCoopers 20,000 
			 Organisational Design Project 18 January 2010 29 March 2010 Deloitte 543,000.00 
			 Developing a Business Intelligence Operating Model 18 January 2010 31 March 2010 Deloitte 185,672.00 
			 CIT Software Project Discovery Phase 28 January 2010 30 April 2010 Deloitte 195,528.00 
			 Support to CIT Improvement Programmes 1 February 2010 31 March 2011 Tribal 760,000.00 
			 Information Security Assurance Project 4 February 2010 31 March 2010 Atkins 49,950.00 
			 Assistance with Resource Management System Improvement Plan Programme Phase 2 7 February 2010 30 April 2010 Atkins 72,690.00 
			 Office for Disability Issues TrailBlazer Support—Housing 8 February 2010 15 July 2010 Sitra 51,300.00 
			 Office for Disability Issues—Trailblazer Resource Allocation for Work Choice 8 February 2010 15 June 2010 In-Control 11,750.00 
			 Call Off Framework Agreement for Right to Control TrailBlazers 8 February 2010 31 October 2010 PricewaterhouseCoopers 97,902.00 
			 Commercial Assurance—Automated Delivery Service—Jobseekers Allowance 10 February 2010 5 March 2010 Atkins 47,300.00 
			 Corporate Services Division Cost Optimisation Programme Network and Telephony 12 February 2010 11 April 2010 Xantus 94,370.00 
			 National Registration Authority Audit (tScheme Audit) 1 March 2010 31 March 2010 KPMG 10,727.00 
			 Shingo Prize Pilot 1 March 2010 31 March 2010 The Manufacturing Institute—TMI Pract. Services 11,000 
			 Business Control Strategic Improvements 14 April 2010 30 April 2011 PricewaterhouseCoopers 750,000.00 
			 A review of DWP Vendor Management Activities 19 April 2010 1 June 2010 Procurement Excellence 52,250.00 
			 Assistance with Resource Management System Improvement Plan Programme Phase 3 4 May 2010 30 July 2010 Atkins 94,050.00 
			 Pension Reform Delivery Programme Closure Activity 4 May 2010 31 December 2010 PricewaterhouseCoopers 100,000.00 
			 Benchmarking Hosting Services 10 May 2010 4 June 2010 Gartner 23,456.00 
			 Application Delivery Centre (ADC) Validation Services Requests 7 June 2010 31 March 2011 Atkins 97,500.00 
			 Additional Modelling Support for Dynamic Benefits 1 July 2010 21 July 2010 Oliver Wyman 19,500.00 
			 Strategic Financial Consultancy Support to Help deliver Work Programme 12 July 2010 31 May 2011 KPMG 362,000.00 
		
	
	
		
			 Shared Services Resource Management Contract (RMOC) Benchmarking 26 August 2010 9 September 2010 Compass 15,000.00 
			 Final assurance of DWP IT Strategy 23 September 2010 1 October 2010 Capgemini 20,000 
			 Research into the Capacity of the Health Care Professional Market 21 October 2010 18 November 2011 Deloitte 48,678.00 
			 Commercial support to the Work Programme 22 October 2010 31 March 2012 Richard Aitken-Davies 45,000.00 
			 Support to DWP Finance and Commercial Function (Organisation Design Review) 22 December 2010 31 January 2011 PricewaterhouseCoopers 20,000.00 
			 Managing the Risk of Financial Loss: Building Capability 24 December 2010 30 June 2011 KPMG 337,000.00 
		
	
	
		
			 Consultancy and audit projects awarded in 2011 
			 Contract title From To Supplier Value (£) 
			 Support to DWP CJT Cost Reduction Programme 4 January 2011 31 May 2012 Bramble 1,065,000.00 
			 DWP Shared Services Delivery Model Options appraisal 24 January 2011 31 March 2011 Deloitte 225,000.00 
			 Benchmarking of DWP Shared Services 9 February 2011 31 March 2011 PricewaterhouseCoopers 19,000.00 
			 Universal Credit Delivery Model Assessment Phase 2 21 March 2011 30 April 2011 McKinsey and Partners 350,000.00 
			 Universal Credit Strategic Support 21 March 2011 30 November 2011 Capgemini 505,000 
			 Review of Transforming Letters Project 30 March 2011 19 April 2011 Deloitte 19,550 
			 Application Delivery Project Independent Market Assessment 8 April 2011 22 April 2011 Compass 19,000 
			 Universal Credit End to End Technical Review 11 April 2011 3 May 2011 IBM 49,240.00 
			 Digital Customer Total Experience Design Requirement 16 May 2011 31 August 2011 Deloitte 16,667.00 
			 Universal Credit Supplier Workshop-Facilitation 18 May 2011 19 May 2011 Xantus 11,399.15 
			 Consultancy Support to develop Flexible New Deal Exit Strategy 19 July 2011 31 August 2011 KPMG 12,000.00 
			 Support of CIT Improvement Initiatives 22 August 2011 22 April 2012 KPMG 250,000.00 
			 Risk Assurance Division Strategic Partner 1 September 2011 31 August 2013 PricewaterhouseCoopers 1,000,000 
			 Benchmarking of the HPES Hosting Contract 1 September 2011 1 December 2011 Compass 172,105.00 
			 Compensating People with Occupational Mesothelioma 24 October 2011 30 November 2011 Deloitte 25,616.00 
			 Specialist tScheme Annual Audit of DWPs National Registration Authority 27 October 2011 31 January 2012 KPMG 33,000

Employment and Support Allowance

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he made of the number of people in receipt of employment and support allowance that would be referred to the Work programme prior to the scheme's commencement; what the actual level of referrals has been since the scheme's commencement; and what assessment he has made of the causes of any difference between these figures.

Chris Grayling: The forecast volumes for mandatory employment and support allowance (ESA) payment groups over SR10 was 373,000 at the ITT stage and was 373,000 in the latest review of forecasts, published in December 2011.
	Between 1 June 2011 to the end of October 2011, there were 20,220 ESA referrals to the Work programme.
	A full breakdown of Work programme data can be found at the DWP Tabulation Tool:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/index.php?page=wp
	Two main reasons for the change are:
	A reduction in the number of ESA ex IB claimants found in the mandatory referral group, this is due to more of the ESA ex IB claimants having a longer prognosis and more claimants being found fit for work.
	Fewer ESA claimants have volunteered for the Work programme than we originally expected.
	We have made a series of changes to the programme to ensure more ESA claimants have access to the programme.
	From October 2011 we increased the prognosis period from 3-6 months for mandatory referrals which will ensure more of claimants in the Work Related Activity Group are referred on a mandatory basis From October 201 we introduced information sessions to allow ESA claimants who are eligible to volunteer for Work programme to make an informed choice whether the Work programme is the right option for them.
	Amended estimates for ESA referrals to the Work programme and the latest view on all volumes has been placed in the House of Commons Library
	http://www.parliament.uk/deposits/depositedpapers/2012/DEP2012-0132.doc
	These estimates will be updated on a regular basis.

Employment and Support Allowance: Complaints

Stella Creasy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many complaints he has received relating to the performance of the employment and support allowance benefit delivery centre in each year since 2008; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Grayling: Jobcentre Plus does not have specific benefit delivery centres for delivering employment support allowance (ESA).
	ESA was introduced in October 2008 but complaints data specific to ESA was only collected separately in the benefit centre directorate from November 2010.
	The following table shows the total number of complaints recorded by Jobcentre Plus relating to employment support allowance since November 2010 to 7 March 2012.
	
		
			  November 2010 to March 2011 April 2011 to 7 March 2012 
			 ESA complaints recorded in benefit centre directorate 1,854 1,322

Employment Schemes

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which Work programme contractors are operating in each area of the UK; and what the local unemployment rate in each such area was (a) when the contract was signed and (b) in the latest period for which figures are available.

Chris Grayling: Information on the prime Work programme contractors by contract package area is available here:
	http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/wp-prime-supplier-contact-details.pdf
	Unemployment rates at local level using the International Labour Organisation (ILO) based measure are not currently available for the period covered by the operation of the Work programme.

Employment Schemes

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he next plans to publish data on the length of benefit claims for people participating in the (a) work experience and (b) mandatory work activity scheme.

Chris Grayling: I have asked statisticians in the Department to look at publishing further data on people participating in work experience and the mandatory work activity scheme.

Employment Schemes: Fraud

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many allegations of fraud relating to the Work programme have been (a) reported and (b) investigated; and how many such investigations have resulted in a prosecution.

Chris Grayling: No allegations of fraud relating to the Work programme have been reported, investigated or resulted in a prosecution.

Employment Schemes: Fraud

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many staff in his Department are working on the investigation of reports of fraud relating to the Work programme.

Chris Grayling: As no allegations of fraud relating to the Work programme have been reported no internal investigations staff are working on the investigation of fraud relating to the Work programme.

Employment Schemes: Fraud

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many staff in his Department are working on the investigation of fraud relating to contract management arrangements with Work programme providers.

Chris Grayling: As no allegations of fraud relating to contract management arrangements with Work programme providers have been reported no internal investigations staff are working on the investigation of fraud relating to the Work programme.

Jobcentre Plus

Stella Creasy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost of administration complaints relating to the performance of Jobcentre Plus was in each year since 2008; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Grayling: 2011-12 is the first year for which the cost of administering complaint handling and resolutions has been separately identifiable.
	The costs for complaint handling and resolution activity in 2011-12 are £7.1 million for the 10 months ending 31 January 2012.

Jobcentre Plus

Stella Creasy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many complaints he has received relating to the performance of Jobcentre Plus offices in (a) Walthamstow constituency, (b) London and (c) nationally in each year since 2008; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Grayling: The following tables show the number of complaints recorded by Jobcentre Plus relating to (a) Walthamstow constituency (calendar year data only), (b) London and (c) nationally each year since 2008.
	
		
			 Total complaints recorded 
			  January to December: 
			  2008 2009 2010 2011 
			 Walthamstow constituency n/a 332 136 165 
			 n/a = Not available. 
		
	
	
		
			 Total complaints recorded 
			  2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 April 2011 to 7 March 2012 
			 London region(1) 6,147 7,125 7,835 6,954 
			 National 41,181 55,632 58,865 48,463 
			 (1) Now London and Home Counties group.

Jobcentre Plus: Yorkshire and The Humber

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the success of the Archive Operations Management pilot in the Yorkshire and Humber region of Jobcentre Plus.

Chris Grayling: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave him on 5 March 2012, Official Report, column 561W.

Pensions

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of people entitled to pension credit who have not claimed it in (a) England, (b) Cumbria and (c) Westmorland and Lonsdale constituency in each of the last five years; and how many people have claimed pension credit in (i) England, (ii) Cumbria and (iii) Westmorland and Lonsdale constituency in each such year.

Steve Webb: Estimates of take-up are not sufficiently robust to present below the level of Great Britain. However the latest National Statistics on Income Related Benefits: Estimates of Take-Up produced by the Department for Work and Pensions were released on 23 February 2012.
	The Income Related Benefits: Estimates of Take-up report covers Great Britain for the financial year 2009-10. It provides caseload and expenditure estimates of take-up for income support and employment and support allowance (income-related), pension credit, housing benefit (including local housing allowance), council tax benefit and jobseeker's allowance (income-based). The latest release updates the statistics previously released on 10 June 2010. The figures are available online and can be found here:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/index.php?page=irb
	Figures for Great Britain covering the period 2005-06 to 2009-10 are as follows:
	
		
			 Caseload take-up for pension credit, Great Britain, 2005-06 to 2009-10 
			  Range of entitled non-recipients (thousand) Take-up ranges (percentage) 
			 2005-06 1,170 : 1,740 60 : 69 
			 2006-07 1,180 : 1,730 60 : 69 
			    
			 2007-08 980 : 1,530 63 : 73 
			 2008-09 910 : 1,520 63 : 74 
			 2009-10 1,210 : 1,580 62 : 68 
		
	
	The break in the time series between 2006-07 and 2007-08, shown in the table above, represents the change in the modelling approach as described in the latest report: Chapter 7: Revisions in the latest report.
	Details of the take-up methodology and a worked example of how take-up is calculated can be found in Chapter 8: Methods and Data Sources and the Appendix: Construction of take-up ranges, of the latest report.
	The information relating to the number of people who have claimed pension credit is in the following table.
	
		
			  England Cumbria Westmorland and Lonsdale parliamentary constituency 
			 As at May each year Number of household recipients Number of beneficiaries Number of  h ousehold recipients Number of beneficiaries Number of  h ousehold recipients Number of beneficiaries 
			 2007 2,286,440 2,793,500 22,320 26,990 3,220 3,880 
			 2008 2,275,670 2,780,470 22,140 26,790 3,190 3,820 
			 2009 2,286,560 2,799,780 22,220 26,940 3,150 3,790 
			 2010 2,292,430 2,811,540 22,060 26,790 3,030 3,650 
			 2011 2,245,190 2,751,280 21,470 26,020 2,970 3,550 
			 Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. Pension credit household recipients are those people who claim pension credit either for themselves or on behalf of themselves and a partner. 3. Beneficiaries represent the number of people that pension credit helps and is the number of claimants in addition to the number of partners for whom they are also claiming. 4. Constituencies used for May 2010 and 2011 are for the Westminster Parliament of May 2010. Prior to this, the constituencies used are for May 2005. 5. The age at which women reach state pension age will gradually increase from 60 to 65 between April 2010 and April 2020. 6. These figures are published on NOMIS at: www.nomisweb.co.uk Source: DWP Information Directorate: Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study.

Pensions: Females

Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the potential effect on expenditure on state pensions of the Government's proposal that women born in 1951 should not be eligible to receive a state pension until 2013.

Steve Webb: For women born in 1951 their state pension age remains as set by the Pension Act 1995 and is shown in the following table:
	
		
			 Date of birth Date state pension age reached 
			 1 January 1951 to 5 January 1951 6 September 2011 
			 6 January 1951 to 5 February 1951 6 November 2011 
			 6 February 1951 to 5 March 1951 6 January 2012 
			 6 March 1951 to 5 April 1951 6 March 2012 
			 6 April 1951 to 5 May 1951 6 May 2012 
			 6 May 1951 to 5 June 1951 6 July 2012 
			 6 June 1951 to 5 July 1951 6 September 2012 
			 6 July 1951 to 5 August 1951 6 November 2012 
			 6 August 1951 to 5 September 1951 6 January 2013 
			 6 September 1951 to 5 October 1951 6 March 2013 
			 6 October 1951 to 5 November 1951 6 May 2013 
			 6 November 1951 to 5 December 1951 6 July 2013 
			 6 December 1951 to 31 December 1951 6 September 2013 
		
	
	The Pensions Act 1995 included provision to increase the state pension age for women born between 6 April 1950 and 5 April 1955 to provide equal treatment between men and women in compliance with the UK's obligations under EC Directive 79/7 on equal treatment between the sexes in social security matters.
	The White Paper “Equality in State Pension Age” (Cmnd 2420) published in December 1993 provided estimates of the total costs and savings from equalisation of state pension ages, but not details for individual years by birth cohorts. Paragraph 1.11 on public expenditure states:
	"expenditure on state pensions is set to double in real terms from just under £30 billion now to almost £60 billion by 2025. Equalising at men's pension age will save just under £5 billion from that total."
	However, given the passage of time since publication of the White Paper and the subsequent changes to the state pension system the figures quoted in 1993 do not accurately reflect the current fiscal effect of the changes.

Personal Independence Payment

Paul Maynard: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which organisations are represented on his Department’s Personal Independence Payment Implementation Development Group; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Miller: The Personal Independence Payment Implementation Development Group has a wide range of members, representing disabled people of all ages with a broad range of disabilities and impairments.
	The group includes the following listed members, who have agreed to us using their name in DWP publications (although their involvement does not imply endorsement of personal independence payment’s introduction, nor endorsement of specific features of the policy/delivery arrangements).
	The Personal Independence Payment Implementation Development Group plays a critical role in informing the design and development of personal independence payment delivery arrangements and reviewing progress made to date.
	Royal British Legion
	Independent Living Fund
	Essex Coalition of Disabled People
	Papworth Trust
	Scope
	Frontline Debt Advice
	Rotherham Macmillan Welfare Rights
	BRAME
	Parkinson’s UK
	Royal College of Nursing
	National Autistic Society
	LGAs Social Security Advisers Group
	Norfolk Coalition of Disabled People
	Enfield Disability Action
	Surrey Association for Visual Impairment
	CLIC Sargent
	Welfare and Financial Assessment joint team
	Spinal Injuries Association
	Mind-In-Enfield
	Sense
	Citizens Advice
	Richmond Aid
	Macmillan Cancer Support
	Mind
	Downs Syndrome Association
	Royal Brompton Hospital Welfare Rights
	The Children’s Society
	National Federation of the Blind
	Limbless Association
	National Deaf Children’s Society
	AdviceUK

Regulation

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which regulations his Department repealed between 1 June 2011 and 31 January 2012; and if he will estimate the likely savings to the public purse in each case.

Chris Grayling: In response to the first part of the question, namely which regulations the Department for Work and Pensions has revoked between 1 June 2011 and 31 January 2012, these are given as follows:
	
		
			 SI number SI title Date made Date coming into force Regulations wholly or partially revoked 
			 2011/1349 Employment and Support Allowance (Work-Related Activity) Regulations 2011 26 May 2011 1 June 2011 Employment and Support Allowance Regulations 2008 (SI 2008/794) : 
			     Regs. 47, 48, 49, 51, 52, 53 (revoked by Reg. 11) 
			     Reg. 58 (revoked by Reg. 14) 
			      
			 2011/1736 Housing Benefit (Amendment) Regulations 2011 14 July 2011 1 January 2012 Housing Benefit (Persons who have attained the qualifying age for state pension credit) Regulations 2006 (SI 2006/214): 
			     Reg. 2(1)—definition of “young individual” omitted (revoked by Reg. 3) 
			      
			 2011/1825 Offshore Installations (Safety Zones) (No 2) Order 2011 20 July 2011 22 August 2011 Offshore Installations (Safety Zones) Order 1997 (SI 1997/735): 
			     Entry for Linnhe Protective Structure including its co-ordinates in Schedule 1 omitted (revoked by Reg. 4). 
		
	
	
		
			     Offshore Installations (Safety Zones) (No 5) Order 2007 (SI 2007/2198) 
			     Entry for Tristan North West Subsea Production Well (49/29b-J) including its co-ordinates in the Schedule omitted (revoked by Reg. 5) 
			      
			 2011/2428 Social Security (Work-focused Interviews for Lone Parents and Partners) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 6 October 2011 31 October 2011 Employment and Support Allowance Regulations 2008 (SI 2008/794): 
			     Reg. 2(1)—definition of “lone parent” omitted (revoked by Reg. 5(2)). 
			     Employment and Support Allowance (Work-Related Activity) Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/1349) : 
			     Reg. 2(1)—definition of “lone parent” omitted (revoked by Reg. 7(2)). 
			      
			 2011/2492 The Offshore Installations (Safety Zones) (No. 4) Order 2011 17 October 2011 14 November 2011 Offshore Installations (Safety Zones) (No 7) Order 2007 (SI 2007/3359) 
			     Entry for Shelley including its co-ordinates in the Schedule omitted (revoked by Reg. 3) 
		
	
	I am unable to provide a response to the second part of the question, namely the request for an estimate as to the likely savings to the public purse resulting from the revocations detailed in the table. This is because further research, at disproportionate cost to the Department, would need to be undertaken in order to assess the cost benefit of these revocations. However, I note that, in respect of the partial revocation to the Employment and Support Allowance (Work-Related Activity) Regulations 2011, SI 2011/1349 has a published Regulatory Impact Assessment.

Social Security Benefits

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many awards have been made under the Flexible Support Fund since April 2011.

Chris Grayling: The number of awards made by advisers from the flexible support fund to help remove customer barriers to work was 170,141 between April 2011 and the end of February 2012.
	Payments are also made from the flexible support fund to provide support with incidental costs incurred as a result of attending training designed to obtain skills to improve employment prospects. Data are not available on the total number of these types of payments.

Social Security Benefits: Appeals

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people who were previously receiving incapacity benefit and have been reassessed for employment and support allowance have (a) received the assessment decision and not appealed, (b) received the assessment decision, appealed, and received an appeal decision, (c) received the assessment decision, appealed, and are awaiting an appeal or an appeal decision and (d) terminated their claim prior to a decision.

Chris Grayling: Data on claimants who were previously receiving incapacity benefit and have been reassessed for employment and support allowance is currently not available. However, the Department intends to publish some data on the outcomes of the reassessment process later this month.

Social Security Benefits: Appeals

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the (a) mean and (b) median waiting time was for a work capability assessment following the start of a claim or receipt of a reassessment letter for people (i) applying for employment and support allowance and (ii) being reassessed for employment and support allowance from the incapacity benefit caseload in the latest period for which figures are available.

Chris Grayling: The information requested is not currently available.

Universal Credit

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects all local authorities to participate in the (a) short-term and (b) long-term universal credit local authority pilots he has announced.

Chris Grayling: We aim to begin the short-term pilot activity during 2012 and will subsequently develop proposals for longer term pilots. In both cases these are likely to involve a small number of local authorities.

Welfare Reform Act 2012: Northern Ireland

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent discussions he has had with the Minister for Social Development in the Northern Ireland Executive about the effect of the Welfare Reform Act 2012 on Northern Ireland.

Chris Grayling: Within the Department for Work and Pensions, Lord Freud is the Minister with lead responsibility for Welfare Reform. He is also the Minister with lead responsibility for liaison with Ministers from the Northern Ireland Executive.
	Lord Freud had discussions with the Nelson McCausland, Minister for Social Development regarding welfare reforms on 31 August, 1 September 2011 and 1 March 2012.
	The Minister for Disabled People, my hon. Friend the Member for Basingstoke (Maria Miller), has also had discussions with the Minister on various issues regarding welfare reform on 16 November 2011. Further ministerial meetings are planned following Royal Assent.
	Department for Work and Pensions Officials are in permanent communication with their Northern Ireland counterparts on issues related to welfare reform.

Work Capability Assessment

Teresa Pearce: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have attended a scheduled work capability assessment but have not been seen by Atos even though they had an appointment in the latest period for which figures are available.

Chris Grayling: During February 2012 there were 5,353 claimants who had been scheduled to attend a work capability assessment (WCA) for employment and support allowance and, although they attended the Medical Assessment Centre, the WCA could not be conducted by Atos Healthcare.
	Of this number 2,231 were for reasons which it has been contractually agreed to be outside the control of Atos Healthcare, these reasons are:
	being unfit on arrival to be assessed;
	arrived late (over 10 minutes);
	nurse being unable to continue with assessment;
	inappropriate for HCP to see;
	accommodation problems;
	unable to be seen for health and safety reasons;
	no prior notification of special needs;
	arrived on time but not prepared to wait for up to 30 minutes.

Work Capability Assessment: North West

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in (a) Denton and Reddish constituency and (b) the north west who have attended a work capability assessment have been deemed (i) fit and (ii) unfit for work in the last 12 months.

Chris Grayling: Data on the work capability assessment (WCA) outcomes for new employment and support allowance (ESA) claims for the Denton and Reddish constituency are not available. However, local authority data for the Tameside and Stockport local authority areas, which cover the Denton and Reddish constituency, are available and are given below.
	The following table provides the outcomes at the initial WCA for all new ESA claims assessed between September 2010 and August 2011 for the geographical areas requested. These are the latest available data.
	
		
			  Entitled to employment and support allowance   
			 Geographical region Support group Work related activity group Fit for work Total 
			 Tameside LA 310 640 920 1,870 
			 Stockport LA 270 700 1,150 2,120 
			 North West 8,230 19,560 34,290 62,070 
		
	
	Claimants assigned to the work related activity group are considered capable of moving towards employment and are mandated to engage in work related activity to help them prepare for a return to work. Those with the most severe disabilities or health conditions which mean it would be unreasonable to expect them to engage in work-related activities are placed in the support group. These claimants receive a higher rate of benefit than work related activity group claimants and are not required to engage in any work-focussed interviews or work-related activity, although they may volunteer for support if they wish.
	Note that the above figures do not include any claimants undergoing a WCA as part of the incapacity benefit reassessment process. The Department intends to publish data on the outcomes of the reassessment process in March 2012.
	The Department regularly publishes official statistics on ESA and the WCA. The latest publication was released in January 2012 and can be found on the departmental website here
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/workingage/index.php?page= esa_wca
	The above information is taken from administrative data held by the Department and assessment data provided by Atos Healthcare.
	All figures have been rounded to the nearest 10, and so columns may not sum to the totals shown.

Work Programme

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many referrals to the Work programme each job centre has made in each Jobcentre Plus district between June and October 2011.

Chris Grayling: I have deposited this information in the Library.

TREASURY

Credit: EU Law

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  on which date a formal request for state aid approval was submitted to the European Commission in respect of his credit easing scheme;
	(2)  on what date his Department submitted the formal application to the European Commission for state aid approval in respect of his credit easing scheme.

Mark Hoban: There has been regular contact between HM Treasury and the Commission since November, with a view to designing a National Loan Guarantee Scheme (NLGS) compatible with state aid as quickly as possible. This notification was formally submitted to the Commission on 10 February 2012. As the Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced, the NLGS will launch before Budget 2012.

Departmental Ethnic Minority Staff

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many and what proportion of senior civil servants in his Department were from an ethnic minority in March (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012; and if he will make a statement.

Chloe Smith: The proportion of ethnic minority senior civil servants (SCS) in HM Treasury in the years requested:
	March 2010: 4.7% of SCS (6 people)
	March 2011: 5.5% of SCS (6 people)
	March 2012: 7.2% of SCS (7 people)
	The 2013 diversity target for the representation of ethnic minority employees in HM Treasury's SCS is 5.0%.

Entrust

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  when he will next reassess the role and effectiveness of ENTRUST, the regulator of the Landfill Communities Fund;
	(2)  what recent discussions he has had with community groups and associations on the effectiveness of ENTRUST, the regulator of the Landfill Communities Fund;
	(3)  if he will take steps to improve the governance and accountability of ENTRUST, the regulator of the Landfill Communities Fund.

Chloe Smith: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is responsible for appointing the regulator of the Landfill Communities Fund (LCF) and overseeing its activities. HMRC monitors and assures that the regulator (ENTRUST) delivers its regulatory function effectively.
	HMRC holds an annual forum for the LCF community where any issues regarding the scheme can be discussed. In addition, HMRC officials have met with environmental bodies to discuss regulation of the scheme.
	The terms under which HMRC appoints the regulator, ENTRUST, are subject to periodic review. This allows HMRC to monitor and consider the regulator's role and effectiveness and agree any necessary improvements.

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

Stephen Phillips: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on the extension of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development's scope to cover southern and eastern Mediterranean regions.

Mark Hoban: Treasury Ministers and officials meet with a wide range of organisations and individuals in the public and private sectors as part of the usual policymaking process. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such discussions.

Excise Duties: Alcoholic Drinks

Mark Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the proportion of off-trade sales in financial years (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11 in respect of (i) spirits, (ii) wine and (iii) beer where UK alcohol duty has not been paid;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the level of duty fraud on wine in (a) 2007, (b) 2008 and (c) 2010; and what plans are currently in place to tackle such fraud;
	(3)  whether he has made an assessment of the robustness of HM Revenue and Customs' (a) estimate of the scale of (i) spirits and (ii) beer duty fraud and (b) methodology for producing beer tax gap estimates.

Chloe Smith: Spirits and beer tax gaps were published in September 2011 in ‘Measuring Tax Gaps 2011’ which is available online at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/mtg-2011.pdf
	HMRC's estimates of the alcohol tax gap do not differentiate between the on and off-trades, therefore estimates of the proportion of off-sales where UK alcohol duty has not been paid are not available.
	Estimates of wine fraud are not currently available. HMRC has a Tackling Alcohol Fraud strategy to counter fraud in all alcohol products.
	The tax gap methodologies are open to independent scrutiny and are available online at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/mtg-annex2011.pdf
	The spirits tax gap has previously been audited by the NAO. The beer tax gap is newer and has not yet been audited by the NAO. It is based on the same principles as the spirits tax gap methodology. HMRC is committed to discussions with the industry in order to improve the beer estimates.

Excise Duties: Fuels

David Anderson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the findings of the report from the Centre for Economic and Business Research on the potential effects of a reduction in fuel duty; and if he will make a statement.

Chloe Smith: The Government have noted the conclusions of the report from The Centre for Economic and Business Research. At Budget 2011 and the autumn statement 2011 the Government supported motorists and businesses through a reduction in fuel duty, abolition of the fuel duty escalator, introduction of a fair fuel stabiliser, cancellation of the increase that was planned for 1 August 2012 and deferral of the January 2012 increase to August 2012 to freeze rates for sixteen months. Consequently, as of 1 April 2012 average pump prices could be approximately 10 pence per litre lower than they would otherwise have been.

Foreign Loans: Argentina

Priti Patel: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his policy is on future votes at the World Bank on loans to Argentina.

Andrew Mitchell: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for International Development.
	Britain will look at each individual project at the World Bank with care, assessing each project on its own merits and the context of each individual loan.
	The Department for International Development does not maintain an aid programme to Argentina and no UK aid is spent providing loans to Argentina at the World Bank.

Freezing Orders: Libya

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much in frozen Libyan assets has been returned to Libya; and whether any assets are still frozen.

Mark Hoban: The Treasury is responsible for the implementation of international financial sanctions. The Libya sanctions regime was introduced, and then extensively modified, during 2011. The asset freeze against, for example, oil industry and financial entities was substantially lifted in September 2011, and the asset freeze targeting the Central Bank of Libya and the Libya Arab Foreign Bank was lifted in December.
	An asset freeze remains in force against 39 individuals and 22 entities, including the Libyan Investment Authority. A full list of the persons subject to the Libyan asset freeze is available on the Treasury website at:
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/fin_sanctions_libya.htm
	For reasons of confidentiality, the Treasury is unable to disclose details of the remaining assets frozen in the UK under the Libya sanctions regime. However, as a result of the lifting of sanctions in 2011 approximately four-fifths of the sums originally frozen in the UK were unfrozen.

Housing: Construction

Iain Wright: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his Department will act as a guarantor for smaller developers in the construction sector to enable them to compete for the Get Britain Building Fund; and if he will make a statement.

Chloe Smith: The Government will not act as a guarantor for smaller developers under the Get Britain Building Fund. However, the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) streamlined the first stage of the application process for the programme to make it easier for all developers—including smaller developers—to access funding and unlock development on stalled sites.

Income Tax

Brandon Lewis: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many (a) male and (b) female higher rate taxpayers there were in the most recent period for which figures are available.

David Gauke: The number of higher rate taxpayers is estimated at 3.19 million in the tax year 2009-10, as shown in HM Revenue and Custom's Table 3.4,
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/income_distribution/menu-by-year.htm#34
	Of these, 2.4 million are male and 792,000 are female.
	These are the latest available outturns, based on the Survey of Personal Incomes 2009-10, a sample survey of taxpayer records for 2009-10.
	Projections of taxpayer numbers, based on 2007-08 survey data, were published in April 2011, and show a combined 4.05 million higher and additional rate taxpayers in 2011-12, of which 3.09 million are male and 956,000 are female. Revised projections, consistent with the 2009-10 survey data, and based on the Office for Budget Responsibility's March 2012 Economic and Fiscal Outlook, will be published on 27 April 2012.

Monetary Policy: Pensioners

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect on pensioners of quantitative easing; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Hoban: The independent Monetary Policy Committee's (MPC) policy tools, including bank rate and quantitative easing, are macroeconomic policy tools designed to affect the economy as a whole, in order to meet the 2% inflation target over the medium term. At its February meeting, the Committee judged that without further monetary stimulus it was more likely than not that inflation would undershoot the target in the medium term. The Committee therefore voted to increase the size of its asset purchase programme by £50 billion to £325 billion.
	The MPC takes into account many factors in its policy decisions, including the prospects for households, assessments of which can be found in the Bank of England's quarterly Inflation Reports and press conferences, and minutes of the MPC's monthly meetings.

Revenue and Customs: ICT

Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect spending on systems to allow tax offices to communicate would have on levels of (a) service and (b) savings to the public purse.

David Gauke: HMRC's recent investment in its project to modernise PAYE processing connected 12 regional IT databases into one. This has improved the provision of service to individuals taxed under PAYE and is expected to yield benefits of c£0.5 billion over 10 years.

Rural Areas: Grants

Graham Stuart: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what fiscal steps he is taking to ensure that rural areas receive a fair share of central Government grants.

Richard Benyon: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
	The Government are committed to ensuring that all areas are treated fairly in the allocation of central Government grants. DEFRA works closely with Departments across Whitehall to help them understand rural needs and opportunities and to encourage them to ensure that their policies and funding schemes benefit both rural and urban communities. As part of their work on business rates retention, the Government are looking at the cost of delivering services in rural areas and whether this is properly reflected in the current system of funding. The Government will consult on any changes considered appropriate as part of the wider consultation on the final shape of the business rates retention scheme later this summer.

Taxation

Katy Clark: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what estimate HM Revenue and Customs has made of the loss to the public purse arising from tax not being collected from people registered as non-resident who are resident in the UK for either (a) over 183 days in a tax year or (b) over 91 days on average over a four-year tax period;
	(2)  how the Government monitors, for the purposes of establishing residency status, how long people have been in the UK.

David Gauke: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) operates a risk based compliance system to identify those who claim to be non-UK resident but may, in fact, be resident for tax purposes.
	Where an individual's residence status is relevant to their UK liability, he or she is required, under the normal tax self-assessment process, to make a return based on their own determination of residence status. How long an individual has been in the UK may be relevant to determining whether or not they are resident here in some cases, but not in all.

Taxation: Energy

Anne Main: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the change in cost to consumers of the planned introduction of the carbon floor price.

Chloe Smith: An assessment of the impacts of the carbon price floor is given in HMRC's Tax Information and Impact Note published alongside Budget 2011. This is available online at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget2011/tiin6111.pdf

Taxation: Multinational Companies

David Anderson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the effect on developing countries of his proposed changes to the rules on controlled foreign companies;
	(2)  if he will ensure that an assessment of the effect on developing countries is undertaken before changes are made to the rules on controlled foreign companies.

David Gauke: The Government have not undertaken an assessment of the effect on developing countries of the proposed changes to the CFC rules as these rules are designed to protect the UK Exchequer by preventing artificial diversion of UK profits.
	Any assessment of the impact of CFC reform on developing countries would need to focus primarily on the nature of tax regimes in the developing countries and the interactions of UK headed multinational companies with those tax systems. The strengthening of tax administration in developing countries is a key issue in tax and development and the Government are committed to supporting developing countries access sustainable sources of revenue. Our priorities for achieving this are capacity building, improving exchange of tax information, and increasing transparency in the extractives sector to address corruption.

Taxation: Nuclear Power

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered introducing a windfall tax on nuclear operators for the purposes of mitigating the effect of the proposed feed-in tariff with contracts for difference subsidy for nuclear projects.

Chloe Smith: The proposed feed-in tariffs with contracts for difference set out in the Government's Electricity Market Reform White Paper aim to create a level playing field for all low carbon generation technologies and do not represent a subsidy for new nuclear projects.

VAT

Susan Elan Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect of the rise in the level of VAT on the (a) retail and (b) construction sector.

David Gauke: The Government have taken urgent and unavoidable action to tackle the deficit and to put the public finances on a sustainable footing. That is essential for jobs and growth.
	The increase in the standard rate of VAT was an important element in the deficit reduction strategy.
	In November, the Office for Budget Responsibility's forecast, which took full account of all government policies including the VAT increase, was for real household spending to rise by almost 10% from 2012 to 2016.

VAT: Employment

Susan Elan Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment he has made of the effect of the change in the level of VAT on unemployment.

David Gauke: The Government have taken urgent and unavoidable action to tackle the deficit and to put the public finances on a sustainable footing. That is essential for jobs and growth.
	The increase in the standard rate of VAT was an important element in the deficit reduction strategy.
	In November, the Office for Budget Responsibility's forecast, which took full account of all government policies including the VAT increase, was for the unemployment rate to fall back to 6.2% by 2016.

Working Tax Credit

Ann Coffey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many couples with children working between 16 and 23 hours per week were in receipt of working tax credit at the latest date for which figures are available; and how many such couples (a) have informed HM Revenue and Customs that their working hours have increased to an excess of 24 hours per week, with one partner working at least 16 hours per week since 6 April 2011 and (b) will cease to be eligible for working tax credit on 6 April 2012.

David Gauke: For the number of couples with children working between 16 and 23 hours per week and who are in receipt of working tax credit we refer the hon. Member to the answer given to PQ 88172 on 10 January 2012, Official Report, column 72W.
	The rest of this information would be available only at disproportionate cost.

Working Tax Credit: Liverpool Riverside

Louise Ellman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect on families in Liverpool, Riverside constituency of changes in working tax credit eligibility rules to be introduced in April 2012.

David Gauke: For the number of couples with children working between 16 and 23 hours per week and who are in receipt of working tax credit in Liverpool, Riverside we refer the hon. Member to the answer given to PQ 88172 on 10 January 2012, Official Report, column 72W.
	The measure to restrict eligibility to working tax credit to 24 hours for couples with children is part of a range of reforms to the tax credits system announced at the spending review.
	Estimating the effect on families from an individual measure does not give a clear indication of the full monetary impact on an individual household.
	The Government published estimates of the distributional impact of the packages of announced tax and benefit measures which can be found at:
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/junebudget_annexa.pdf
	http://cdn.hm-treasury.gov.uk/sr2010_annexb.pdf

Working Tax Credit: North West

Helen Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the cost to the economy of (a) Warrington and (b) the North West on (i) the freeze in the (A) 30 hour element and (B) the couples or lone parent element of and (ii) the overall freeze in working tax credit and the increase in the taper in each year from 2011-13.

David Gauke: The information requested is not available.

BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS

Apprentices: North West

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the potential effects of expected trends in apprenticeship uptake on reducing youth unemployment in the North West in (a) 2012, (b) 2013, (c) 2014 and (d) 2015.

John Hayes: No such assessment has been made. In the 2010/11 academic year there were 78,660 apprenticeships starts in the North West Region, up by 66.4% on 2009/10. The apprenticeship programme is demand led and the Government do not set targets on expected delivery in particular areas of the country.

Business: Innovation

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many businesses in each constituency in the North West have received funding under the Business Innovation Scheme since the scheme's inception; and how much funding was allocated in each case.

Mark Prisk: holding answer 8 March 2012
	There are a number of programmes aimed at supporting innovation in UK businesses and these are delivered by the Technology Strategy Board, a BIS sponsored body, which has an annual budget of over £300 million. The schemes include Collaborative R&D, Smart, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and the Small Business Research Initiative.
	The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has never supported a scheme called the Business Innovation Scheme.

Business: Loans

Lorely Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps the Government has taken to promote a range of forms of finance for small businesses.

Mark Prisk: It is important that businesses can access the finance they need from a diverse range of sources, including bank debt, equity investment and other alternative forms of finance.
	The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, the right hon. Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable), has established an industry working group, led by Tim Breedon of the Association of British Insurers to explore how to further develop non-bank lending channels. This group will report by Budget 2012.
	The Government itself has undertaken a range of measures to promote a range of finance:
	To support equity investment in firms, Government has increased its commitment to the Enterprise Capital Funds programme by £200 million over the four years to 2014-15, providing for more than £300 million of venture capital investment.
	Government has encouraged a better environment for Business Angel investment through the establishment of the new £50 million Business Angel Co-Investment Fund, which aims to support angel investments into high growth potential early stage SMEs.
	Government has reformed the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs), increasing rate of income tax relief for EIS to 30% and increasing amounts that can be invested in qualifying companies and the size of qualifying companies (subject to state-aid clearance). From April 2012 the Seed EIS (SEIS) scheme will provide income tax relief of 50% for individuals who invest in shares in qualifying seed companies, with an annual investment limit for individuals of £100,000 and cumulative investment limit for companies of £150,000.
	The Government's Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG) is also available until 2014-15, to guarantee, subject to demand, up to £2 billion in additional lending for those firms who lack the collateral or the track record to secure debt finance. From January 2012 this was extended to include businesses with up to £44 million annual turnover and a number of new lenders have been accredited.
	To support firms' access to finance the Government has also announced £21 billion of credit easing measures to support smaller and mid-sized businesses which will include £20 billion of guarantees for bank funding to be made available over two years under the National Loan Guarantee Scheme; and the £1 billion Business Finance Partnership which will be deployed to stimulate markets in alternative forms of finance.
	As part of the Government's “Business in You” campaign, the Government's Business Link website provides advice and guidance for businesses on the range of finance options available and how to apply. This can be found at
	www.improve.businesslink.gov.uk/resources/business-support-finder

Business: Loans

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent assessment his Department has made of the ability of small businesses to access finance.

Mark Prisk: The independent quarterly SME Finance Monitor, most recently published on the 5 March 2012, found that 63% of businesses that had applied for a new/renewed loan were successful, and 79% of those that had applied for a new/renewed overdraft facility now had a facility.
	The SME Finance Monitor is an independently edited report, funded by the British Bankers' Association (BBA) as part of their commitments under the BBA Taskforce. It is the most comprehensive regular survey of small and medium sized enterprises' experiences accessing finance. Its reports are publicly available at
	http://www.sme-finance-monitor.co.uk

Business: Wales

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent discussions he has had with Ministers in the Welsh Government on the Government's industrial vision.

Mark Prisk: The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, the right hon. Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable), usually visits Wales about twice a year. His last visit was in December, when he met his counterpart in the Welsh Assembly Government and discussed a wide range of policies that support the Government's industrial vision. In his earlier visit last year, he attended the Welsh Secretary's Business Advisory Group meeting, to which the Welsh Assembly Government were also invited.

Competition

Sajid Javid: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent progress his Department has made in finalising the Government’s response to the consultation on A Competition Regime for Growth; and when he expects to publish the response.

Norman Lamb: We expect to announce our proposals later this month.

Competition Commission: Office of Fair Trading

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills when he expects the merger of the Competition Commission and the Office of Fair Trading to be completed; and if he will make a statement.

Norman Lamb: The Government will shortly announce their plans for reforming the competition landscape including publication of the Government Response to the 'A Competition Regime for Growth: A Consultation on Options for Reform' consultation.

Copyright

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what representations he has received on proposals to change licensing schemes operated by the Copyright Licensing Agency and the Educational Recording Agency.

Norman Lamb: The Government are currently consulting on a range of proposals to modernise the copyright system. They have received a number of representations from a wide range of interested parties and have hosted consultation events around the country. A summary of responses to the consultation will be published within three months of its close on the 21 March 2012.

East Midlands Development Agency: Pay

Jake Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether any staff employed by the East Midlands Development Agency received retention bonuses after the announcement by the Government of the abolition of regional development agencies.

Mark Prisk: The eight regional development agencies (RDA) have put in place arrangements to secure the retention of key staff until the agencies are closed. They have made these arrangements with the approval of the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, the right hon. Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable), and HM Treasury. This is to safeguard the taxpayer's interest in making best use of the significant public assets that the RDAs have owned. A retention payment process had been recommended to be put into place by the National Audit Office.
	At the East Midlands Development Agency to date, no member of staff has received a retention payment.

Higher Education

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what submissions are required to be made by higher education providers in order for their courses to be designated; and if he will publish those submissions.

David Willetts: The arrangements for course designation depend on whether the courses are being provided by a publicly funded or privately funded institution. In most cases eligible higher education courses provided by publicly funded institutions in the UK are automatically designated for student support and institutions input details of eligible courses directly onto the Student Loans Company's (SLC) course database.
	All full-time distance learning courses and eligible higher education courses provided by privately funded institutions may be specifically designated at the discretion of the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, the right hon. Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable). Institutions that wish to have courses specifically designated must submit an application form for each course they wish to have designated. They must also submit a current prospectus providing details of the course; a validation document from the validating body that demonstrates that a recognised UK award-making body validates the course to be run at the specific private institution; and, for full-time courses a timetable must be submitted providing details of the intensity of study. If the applications are approved the institutions have to complete a data capture form for SLC's higher education institution (HEI) database team to enable the course details to be uploaded on the SLC course database.
	We do not routinely publish a list of all submissions for specific designation as there is a public interest in ensuring that the commercial interests of external businesses, such as those who have had their applications for the specific designation of courses rejected, are not damaged or undermined by disclosure of information which is not common knowledge and which could adversely impact on future business.
	A list of courses that have been specifically designated is published on the SLC's website.
	http://www.practitioners.slc.co.uk/policy-information/designated-courses/full-list.aspx

Higher Education: Admissions

Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what information his Department holds on the relative performance at university of students entering university from (a) state and (b) private sector schools.

David Willetts: There is a substantial literature examining the relative performance of pupils from different school types in Higher Education. References to some of the key publications are given as follows.
	Partington, 2011, The Predictive Effectiveness of Metrics in Admission to Cambridge University, Cambridge University Admissions website
	Parks, 2011, School Background is not a factor in Cambridge degree success, Cambridge University Admissions website
	Hoare and Johnston, 2010, Widening Participation through admissions policy—a British case study of school and university performance, “Studies in Higher education”.
	Ogg, Zimdars and Heath, 2009, Schooling effects on degree performance: a comparison of the predictive validity of aptitude testing and secondary school grades at Oxford University, “British Educational Research Journal”, 35.5, pp781-807
	McCrum, Brundin and Halsey, 2006, The Effect of School Background on Value-Added at Oxbridge, Oxford Magazine
	Smith and Naylor, 2005, Schooling effects on subsequent university performance: Evidence for the UK university population, “Economics of Education Review”, 24:549-562
	Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), 2005, Schooling effects on higher education achievement: further analysis—entry at 19
	Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), 2003, Schooling effects on higher education achievement
	Smith and Naylor, 2001, Determinants of degree performance in UK universities: A statistical analysis of the 1993 student cohort, “Oxford bulletin of Economics and Statistics”, 63:29-60
	In addition to these publications, the Department also monitors the unpublished literature and is in contact with key organisations and researchers working on this topic. These include Supporting Professionalism in Admissions (SPA), the University of Bristol Widening Participation Research Cluster, and the University of Cambridge Undergraduate Admissions.

Higher Education: Standards

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how often designated higher education courses are audited (a) for quality assurance and (b) to ensure student loans claimed match the number of students studying with the provider.

David Willetts: The quality assurance arrangements for designated higher education courses depend on the nature of the awarding body and of the qualification being awarded. Universities and other bodies with degree awarding powers are responsible for safeguarding the quality of their teaching and the standards of their academic awards, including the quality and standards of any privately funded provider whose awards they validate. The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education assesses the way in which universities manage the quality and standards of their partnership arrangements with private providers. Management of collaborative arrangements is assessed as part of Institutional Review, or, where partnerships form a significant amount of provision, through a separate review of partnerships, or a hybrid of the two.
	Courses leading a Higher National Diploma (HND) or Higher National Certificate (HNC) can be designated for student support and are regulated by Ofqual. Awarding organisations have to meet Ofqual's formal “Recognition Criteria” which provides assurance to learners about the quality of regulated qualifications, and they are then subject to compliance with Ofqual's “General Conditions of Recognition” which is monitored on an ongoing basis. Providers offering HNDs and HNCs must satisfy criteria set out by the awarding body to demonstrate they are 'fit and proper' to offer them.
	Payments for tuition are only made to a provider if a student has made an application to the Student Loans Company for a loan to cover tuition costs for their course and the provider has confirmed the student's attendance on the course. Tuition fee loan payments are audited on an annual basis as part of the audit of eligibility and entitlement assessments.

Money Advice Service: Scotland

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills 
	(1)  whether in the transitional period from April 2012 to March 2013, the Money Advice Service will enter new agreements with existing face-to-face debt advice providers located in Scotland;
	(2)  whether he has held any discussions with (a) the Scottish Government, (b) COSLA and (c) Citizens Advice Scotland on the tendering process to be instituted by the Money Advice Service in autumn 2012 for the provision of a new face-to-face service starting in autumn 2013;
	(3)  whether it is his intention that any of the provision of a new face-to-face service by Money Advice Services from autumn 2013 will be located in Scotland; and in which locations any such service in Scotland will be located.

Norman Lamb: On 22 February 2012, the Money Advice Service published 'A Better Deal for Everyone: A New Approach to Debt Advice'. This set out their role in co-ordinating debt advice from 1 April 2012, funded by a new allocation from the levy collected by the Financial Services Authority.
	Grant funding of £4.8 million from the Scottish Government and £2.2 million from the Money Advice Service will go towards a jointly funded programme which will be managed by the Scottish Legal Aid Board to help Scots resolve their legal and financial problems. The locations of the funded projects will be determined following an application process that will open later this year.
	Additionally, the Money Advice Service will provide £500,000 of financial support to projects run in partnership with the Improvement Service, the Accountant in Bankruptcy and Money Advice Scotland.
	The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has not held any discussions with the Scottish Government, COSLA or Citizens Advice about the tendering process for a new face-to-face service—this is a matter for the Money Advice Service which has had detailed discussions with a wide range of stakeholders in Scotland.

Office for Fair Access

John Glen: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what areas of expenditure in the Office for Fair Access will increase in 2012-13.

David Willetts: This is a matter for the Director of Fair Access. This year we have increased the Office for Fair Access (OFFA) budget from £484,000 to over £700,000. We are discussing OFFA's budget for 2012-13 with the current Director to ensure he has the resources he needs to discharge his responsibilities effectively. The new Director for Fair Access will take up the role later this year and we will want to discuss the issue of resources with him at the earliest opportunity.
	The Government have committed through the White Paper to strengthen OFFA so it can provide a more active and energetic challenge and support to universities and colleges. In the White Paper, we said we will make significantly more resources available, increasing capacity up to around four times its original level, and equipping OFFA to use fully its powers to promote access and monitor and review Access Agreements.

Office for Life Sciences

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 21 November 2011, Official Report, column 149W, on Office for Life Sciences, how many full-time equivalent staff in each pay band he estimates will be employed in the Office for Life Sciences in each of the next three years; and what budget he has allocated for the Office for Life Sciences in each such year.

David Willetts: holding answer 8 March 2012
	The Office for Life Sciences (OLS) is currently undergoing a restructure. It is not possible at this time to confirm what the exact grade allocations will be in 2012/13. However, while the balance of roles across grades may alter, the overall headcount is likely to remain broadly the same as for 2011/12.
	The OLS staff budget in 2011-12 remains at £692,700. The OLS is staffed as follows:
	
		
			 Grade Number of staff (at January 2012) 
			 SCS 1 
			 Grade 6 0 
			 Grade 7 5 
			 SEO 4 
			 HEO 0 
			 EO 3 
			 Fast Stream 2 
			 Total 15

Office for Life Sciences

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many projects the Office for Life Sciences has completed since May 2010; what projects are underway; and what the budget is of each such project.

David Willetts: holding answer 8 March 2012
	In 2010/11 the Office for Life Sciences (OLS) had a budget of £84,000 covering three projects. The projects were completed as reflected in Table 1.
	
		
			 Table 1 
			 Project Actual 
			 Clinical Trials Data Phase 1 6,000.00 
			 Extension to the Bioscience and Healthcare Database to include Pharmaceutical Sector 53,735.00 
			 Clinical Trials Data Phase 2 7,100.00 
			 Total 66,835.00 
		
	
	In 2011/12, the OLS had a project budget of £121,000. Completed projects are reflected in Table 2.
	
		
			 Table 2 
			 Project Actual 
			 Bibliometric Analysis of Regenerative Medicine 23,775.00 
			 Strategy for UK Life Sciences (analysis, publication and communications) 38,728.70 
			 Total 62,503.70 
		
	
	The OLS is currently agreeing its business plan, which is expected to be published in April 2012. Priority projects for 2012/13 will be those that involve implementation of the Strategy for UK Life Sciences. At present a budget has not been confirmed at individual project level, but the OLS programme budget is expected to remain at £121,000 per annum, until the end of the spending review period in 2014/15.

Oxford University: Admissions

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many people from each parliamentary constituency were accepted to study at Oxford and Cambridge universities (a) in the last 10 years and (b) in 2011.

David Willetts: The information provided by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Research: Science

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills which official in his Department has lead responsibility for communicating with the life sciences industry; and which directorate they are part of.

David Willetts: holding answer 8 March 2012
	Skills and Life Sciences Directorate is responsible. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills does not believe that release of the name of the individual would be fair under the terms of the Data Protection Act.

Royal Mail

Gavin Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills when Ministers in his Department met with (a) the chief executive and (b) the chairman of Royal Mail to discuss the financial and management performance of the business in 2010.

Norman Lamb: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to him on 6 March 2012, Official Report, column 701W.

South East England Development Agency: Incentives

Jake Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether staff employed by the South East England Development Agency received retention bonuses after the announcement by the Government of the abolition of regional development agencies.

Mark Prisk: The eight regional development agencies have put in place arrangements to secure the retention of key staff until the agencies are closed. They have made these arrangements with the approval of the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, the right hon. Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable). This is to safeguard the taxpayer's interest in making best use of the significant public assets that the Regional Development Agencies (RDA's) have owned. A retention payment process had been recommended to be put into place by the National Audit Office. At the South East England Development Agency to date, one member of staff received a retention payment on completion of duties when made redundant.

Student Loans Company: Pay

Nick Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills on what dates (a) he, (b) the Permanent Secretary of his Department and (c) the Minister of State for Universities and Science first became aware of the arrangements for remunerating the Chief Executive of the Student Loans Company.

David Willetts: The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, the right hon. Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable), myself and the Department's permanent secretary approved the appointment and remuneration package for the Student Loans Company (SLC) chief executive, as put forward by the SLC Board, in May 2010 for his interim appointment and in December 2010 for his further two-year appointment.
	The Department and the SLC followed the correct processes, gaining approval from across Government, and were satisfied that the package met the relevant guidelines, including value for money.
	The SLC's overall performance has improved and continues to improve so that the SLC operates more effectively in the interests of students.

Students: Finance

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking to increase awareness of the student finance arrangements for academic year 2012-13 amongst parents and guardians of university applicants; and if he will make a statement.

David Willetts: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) considers it essential to ensure that prospective students and their families know about the financial support available to support access to higher education.
	BIS ran a communications campaign targeting young people and parents/guardians of young people considering starting university in September 2012. This activity took place in May, June and October 2011 and featured radio, digital and regional press advertising, a media partnership with Channel 4 and a mailing to education maintenance allowance recipients.
	Underpinning the campaign was the Student Finance School and College Tour. The tour ran from September 2011 to January 2012 and was delivered by recent graduates. The objective of the tour was to explain the new finance arrangements directly to students in the classroom and to their parents/guardians at parent evenings at schools and colleges. The tour reached 1,956 (85%) of the 2,313 schools and colleges in England, engaging 152,014 students and 8,404 parents.
	As the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) application deadline has now passed for 2012/13 entrants, the task now is to ensure that students and their parents know when, how and where to apply for financial support.
	The Student Loans Company (SLC) is responsible for administering the student finance service in England. Once a student has applied through UCAS, the SLC will communicate with them via e-mail to encourage them to apply for financial support and provide them with information to help them with this. If it is indicated that parents are required to provide information to support their student’s application for financial support, the SLC will encourage parents via e-mail/text to support them in completing the process.
	The SLC also uses a range of other channels to increase awareness of student finance arrangements among parents and guardians of university applicants, including:
	Videos, downloadable guides and fact sheets designed for student finance practitioners and teachers/tutors to use with 2012/13 applicants and their parents.
	Social media activities, including ‘surgeries’ on social media sites to help address the questions and concerns of parents.
	Working with UCAS to providing student finance information for both the UCAS website and Parents Guide.
	Media coverage in popular consumer titles.
	The Directgov website at:
	www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance

Students: Loans

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the decision not to impose charges on graduates who repay their student loans early.

David Willetts: The decision not to introduce a system of charges for early repayment of student loans was announced on 23 February 2012. The decision was made by BIS Ministers after careful consideration of all the evidence and analysis of responses received from last year's consultation.
	BIS Ministers and officials have discussions with a wide variety of organisations and Government Departments, including HM Treasury. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such discussions.

Unfair Practices

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to question 97635, how many prosecutions were brought under the Consumer Protection From Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 in each year since 2006; and if he will make a statement.

Norman Lamb: The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (CPRs) came into force on 26 May 2008. Trading Standards Departments have reported to the Office of Fair Trading the following number of prosecutions brought under the CPRs since the end of May 2008:
	
		
			  Number 
			 2008 4 
			 2009 149 
			 2010 307 
			 2011 369

JUSTICE

Approved Premises

Nia Griffith: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what his policy is on the safeguards needed on contracts for the provision of bail accommodation that does not meet the definition of approved premises under section 13 of the Offender Management Act 2007.

Crispin Blunt: There is a single contract, with Stonham, part of the Home Group, for the provision of bail accommodation and support. All defendants released on bail are subject to safeguards set out in the bail conditions determined by the court, regardless of the accommodation provider. Stonham, additionally, assesses all applications for accommodation for eligibility and suitability.

Approved Premises

Nia Griffith: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice by what means his Department governs the provision of bail accommodation under (a) the contract with Stonham and (b) other arrangements for the provision of such accommodation.

Crispin Blunt: The National Offender Management Service operates a contract management system which keeps the contract with Stonham under continuous review.
	The only other accommodation provided on behalf of the Ministry of Justice that is available to defendants on bail is in Approved Premises. These are regulated by the Ministry of Justice, through the Approved Premises National Rules 2011.

Approved Premises

Nia Griffith: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps he is taking to ensure local authorities comply with the joint working protocol on bail and accommodation support services; and what representations he has received on the need for greater local accountability of the operation of the protocol.

Crispin Blunt: Local authorities that have properties in their areas administered by the bail accommodation and support service have their own protocol with the contractor. The joint working protocol drawn up between the Local Government Association and the Ministry of Justice provides a benchmark for liaison on the location of properties under the contract. The contractor may negotiate local variations, as long as the minimum standards set out in the joint protocol are observed. No formal representations have been received on the need for greater local accountability of the operation of the protocol; local authorities have complied with this process in relation to every property currently provided.

Approved Premises

Nia Griffith: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what conditions he sets for premises to be used for bail accommodation; and whether local authorities require planning consent for such usage.

Crispin Blunt: The conditions relating to properties provided by Stonham are that they may accommodate no more than four people, each with his or her own bedroom. Planning consent is not required; the houses are the private rented homes of those living in them.

Ashfield Young Offender Institution

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many incidents of segregation have been recorded at Ashfield Young Offender Institution in each year since 2006; and how many such segregations have been for more than (a) seven days, (b) 15 days and (c) 28 days;
	(2)  how many boys in Ashfield Young Offender Institution were subject to (a) one episode, (b) between two and five episodes and (c) six or more episodes of segregation in each year since 2006.

Crispin Blunt: The information is not collated centrally. However, Ashfield YOI has been approached and has provided the following data:
	
		
			 Number of young people 
			  2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 
			 Length of segregation        
			 Average population 307 336 333 275 237 317 (1)— 
			 Total number of segregations 335 200 188 259 241 377 51 
			 7-14 days 75 54 57 37 76 75 12 
			 15-27 days 36 11 15 36 41 56 1 
			 Over 28 days 10 5 9 23 31 24 9 
			         
			 Incidents of segregation        
			 1 period 133 105 99 122 123 166 38 
			 2-5 periods 74 38 34 53 44 78 6 
			 6 or more 5 0 1 0 1 4 0 
			 (1) Not yet available

Chief Coroner

Paul Goggins: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice when he plans to appoint the chief coroner; and what the functions and responsibilities of the role will be.

Jonathan Djanogly: Under the Coroners and Justice Act 2009, it is for the Lord Chief Justice to appoint the chief coroner in consultation with the Lord Chancellor. The Ministry of Justice is in discussion with the Judicial Office about the appointment, including timetable and the functions and responsibilities of the chief coroner and will make an announcement as soon as possible.

Closed Circuit Television

Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what information his Department holds on the number of people who were convicted where CCTV evidence was a contributory factor in (a) the West Midlands, (b) West Yorkshire, (c) the East Midlands and (d) Essex in (i) 2009-10 and (ii) 2010-11.

Crispin Blunt: Other than where specified in a statute, centrally held information does not include all the circumstances of each case. It is not possible to centrally identify what evidence is produced in court proceedings.

Departmental Ethnic Minority Staff

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many and what proportion of senior civil servants in his Department were from an ethnic minority in March (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan Djanogly: Information on the number and proportion of senior civil servants in the Ministry of Justice that declared themselves as being from an ethnic minority in March 2010 and March 2011 is set out in the following table:
	
		
			 As at March each year Number Proportion of total senior civil servants in the Ministry of Justice (%) 
			 2010 11 4 
			 2011 9 4 
		
	
	Information for March 2012 is not yet available. The latest available data, which is as at January 2012, is as follows:
	
		
			  Number Proportion of total senior civil servants in the Ministry of Justice (%) 
			 January 2012 11 5 
		
	
	Approximately 20% of senior civil servants in March 2010, 27% in March 2011 and 21% in January 2012 chose not to declare their ethnicity.
	The information provided reflects the composition of the Ministry which varied between March 2010 and January 2012. In March 2010 and March 2011, the Ministry comprised the Ministry headquarters, Her Majesty's Courts Service, the Tribunals Service, the National Offender Management Service, the Office of Public Guardian, the Wales Office, and the Scotland Office.
	In January 2012, the Ministry compromised the Ministry headquarters, Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service, the National Offender Management Service, and the Office of Public Guardian.
	The Ministry of Justice is continuing to work to increase representation of minority ethnic staff in the senior civil service, as well as to increase the proportion of women and staff with disabilities at this level.

Departmental Public Expenditure

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much funding his Department proposes to allocate to 
	(1)  the (a) Policy Group, (b) Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, (c) Corporate Services, Estates and ICT, (d) Youth Justice Board, (e) Central Funds and (f) other non-departmental public bodies under the Ministry of Justice Headquarters expenditure, in each year of the current spending review period;
	(2)  the (a) Criminal Defence Legal Aid, (b) Community Legal Services and (c) Legal Services Commission administration as part of the Legal Services Commission, in each year of the current spending review period;
	(3)  the (a) National Offender Management Service Operations (NOMS) and (b) National Probation Services Trust as part of NOMS, in each year of the current spending review period;
	(4)  the (a) HM Courts Service and (b) HM Tribunals Service as part of HM Courts and Tribunals Service, in each year of the current spending review period.

Jonathan Djanogly: The Department's budget allocations for 2011-12 are outlined in the Supplementary Estimate published on 8 February 2012. The following tables give the break-down of allocations for (a) Ministry of Justice Headquarters; (b) Legal Services Commission; (c) National Offender Management Service; (d) Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service and (e) Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, Youth Justice Board, Central Funds.
	
		
			 (a) Ministry of Justice headquarters expenditure 
			  Amount (£ million) 
			 Justice Policy Group 172.7 
			 Corporate Services 248.3 
			 Estates(1) 396.0 
			 ICT 197.1 
			 Total 1,014.1 
			 (1 )Includes prison capacity estates 
		
	
	The above includes allocation of £45.5 million for 2011-12 to administrative non-departmental public bodies.
	
		
			 (b) Legal Services Commission 
			  Amount (£ million) 
			 Criminal Defence Legal Aid 1,131.4 
			 Community Legal Services 934.8 
			 LSC administration 107.4 
			 Total 2,173.6 
		
	
	
		
			 (c) National Offender Management Service 
			  Amount (£ million) 
			 NOMS Operations 2,775.0 
			 National Probation Trust(1) 820.0 
			 Total 3,595.0 
			 (1 )The Probation Trust figure is the total of contract values agreed at the beginning of the year. These amounts vary slightly during the year. 
		
	
	
		
			 (d) Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service 
			  Amount £ million 
			 Courts Service 835.0 
			 Tribunals Service 235.0 
			 Total 1,070.0 
		
	
	(e) Allocations for the following are not under the Ministry of Justice Headquarters expenditure.
	
		
			  Amount (£ million) 
			 Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA)(1) 437.4 
			 Youth Justice Board 394.1 
			 Central Funds 90.5 
			 (1) CICA's allocation for 2011-12 was increased in the Supplementary Estimate to cover the cost of pre-tariff cases, which will be settled in the year. 
		
	
	The Department has not set budgets for the remaining years of the comprehensive spending review period. Budgets for 2012-13 onwards will be set as part of the Department's regular annual budget allocation process. Allocations will be made on the basis of need and according to departmental priorities.

Driving Offences

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many and what proportion of people whose driving licence was suspended temporarily before trial as a condition of their bail had been charged with (a) causing death by dangerous driving, (b) causing death by careless driving, (c) any offence of causing death through the use of a motor vehicle and (d) drink driving in 2011.

Crispin Blunt: Information on bail and remand collected centrally by the Ministry of Justice and held on the Court Proceedings Database does not record whether conditions were attached to bail, the nature of them, nor whether those conditions were breached.
	Annual court proceedings data for 2011 are planned for publication in May 2012.

Driving Offences

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the average time was for a defendant to be brought before a court when charged with (a) causing death by dangerous driving, (b) causing death by careless driving, (c) any offence of causing death through the use of a motor vehicle and (d) drink driving in 2011.

Crispin Blunt: Table 1 provides the average length of time in days from the date an offence was committed, to the date of the first hearing in the magistrates court for: (a) causing death by dangerous driving, (b) causing death by careless driving, (c) causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs, (d) causing death by driving: unlicensed, disqualified or uninsured drivers, (e) any offence of causing death through the use of a motor vehicle and (f) drink driving. This is provided for January to September 2011.
	These experimental statistics are sourced from the administrative data systems used in magistrates and Crown courts, and have been produced by linking together records held on the two datasets.
	Summary statistics on the timeliness of criminal proceedings in the magistrates courts and Crown court are published by the Ministry of Justice in the statistical bulletins “Court Statistics Quarterly”. Statistics for the quarter July to September 2011 were published on 12 January and statistics from October to December 2011 will be published on the Department's website on 29 March 2012:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/statistics/courts-and-sentencing/judicial-quarterly
	
		
			 Table 1: Magistrates and Crown courts, all defendants (1) (, ) (2)  in criminal cases completed by offence group, England and Wales: timeliness stages from offence to first hearing, January to September 2011 (3, ) (4) 
			 Days 
			 Offence group Offence to charge/laying of information Charge/laying of information to first hearing Offence to first hearing 
			 Causing death by dangerous driving 165 28 193 
			 Causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving 161 28 190 
			 Causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs 165 18 182 
			 Causing death by driving: unlicensed, disqualified or uninsured drivers 151 30 180 
			 Causing death through the use of a motor vehicle (all offences) 162 28 190 
			 Drink driving(5) 14 21 35 
			 (1) All defendants refer to adult and youth defendants. (2) Includes all cases concluded in the magistrates courts or Crown court during the specified time period, and includes the longest duration and most serious offence in cases where there is more than one offence per case. Data is sourced from the linked administrative court data and includes around 95% of completed proceedings. These data are only available from April 2010 (3) Data for 2011 are currently only available to September 2011. Data from October to December 2011 will be published on 29 March 2012. (4) The offence group is taken from data collected at the magistrates court, therefore some cases, such as Summary offences may have been upgraded by the time they reach the Crown court. (5) Drink driving includes both charged and summons cases. Note: These categories contain low sample sizes, so figures should be interpreted with caution. Source: Libra MIS Timeliness Analysis Report (TAR) and CREST linked court data, HM Courts and Tribunals Service

European Court of Justice

Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether the UK has introduced the measures required by articles 3 to 9 of EU Council Framework Decision 2000/383/JHA.

Crispin Blunt: The Government consider that existing UK law meets the measures required by articles 3 to 9 of EU Council Framework Decision 2000/383/JHA without the need for amendment.

Euthanasia: Prosecutions

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people have been prosecuted for helping another person to end their life in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available.

Crispin Blunt: The number of persons proceeded against at magistrates courts for offences under the Suicide Act 1961, in England and Wales, from 2001 to 2010 (latest available) can be viewed in the following table.
	Court proceedings data for 2011 are planned for publication in May 2012.
	
		
			 Number of persons proceeded against at magistrates courts for offences under the Suicide Act 1961, England and Wales, 2001 - 10 (1, 2) 
			  Number of persons 
			 2001 2 
			 2002 2 
			 2003 3 
			 2004 3 
			 2005 — 
			 2006 5 
			 2007 1 
			 2008(3) 2 
			 2009 — 
			 2010 — 
			 (1) The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. (2 )Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (3 )Excludes data for Cardiff magistrates court for April, July and August 2008. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services--Ministry of Justice.

Legal Aid Scheme: Females

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many additional women he estimates will be eligible for legal aid following the amendment made in the House of Lords on 5 March 2012 to the Legal Aid Bill to specify the evidential criteria for the purpose of accessing private family legal aid.

Jonathan Djanogly: We are unable to estimate on the basis of current data how many more women would qualify for legal aid in a private family law matter by virtue of domestic violence as a result of the amendment.

Prisoners

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what recent representations he has received on ensuring convicted murderers do not move into areas where they might come into contact with their victims’ families; and if he will make a statement.

Crispin Blunt: I have not received any recent representations on this matter.
	Convicted murderers receive a mandatory life sentence and must serve the whole of their minimum term or ‘tariff’ before being considered for release by the independent Parole Board. The Parole Board will direct the release of life sentenced prisoners on licence, following a thorough risk assessment, only if it is satisfied that it is no longer necessary, on the grounds of public protection, for them to be detained in custody.
	Since 2001, victims of specified violent and sexual offences, including bereaved relatives, have had a statutory right to make representations about which conditions they would wish to see attached to the offender’s release licence. This could include a request for an exclusion zone which prohibits the offender from entering a specified area where the victim lives and works. The decision on which conditions to attach to a release licence will be for the Parole Board alone to determine in the case of life sentenced prisoners. In reaching this decision, the Parole Board will be mindful of the need to try to address the victims’ concerns while ensuring exclusion zones are not so prohibitive that they prevent the offender from attending activities or accessing support which reduces the risk of reoffending and of others becoming victims.
	A life licence lasts for the whole of an offender’s life and, if he breaches his licence conditions, he is liable to be recalled to prison.

Prisoners: Ex-servicemen

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 14 November 2011 to the hon. Member for Luton North, Official Report, column 552W, on prisoners: ex-servicemen, if he will make it his policy to record and publish annually the (a) number of ex-service personnel in prison establishments and (b) the proportion of the prison population constituted by ex-service personnel.

Crispin Blunt: In September 2010, the Ministry of Justice and Defence Analytical Services Advice (DASA) published the results of joint work to determine the number of regular ex-service personnel in prison in England and Wales. The report found that or 3.5% of the population in prisons in England and Wales (2,820 prisoners(1)) were ex-service personnel.
	This report remains the most comprehensive and reliable piece of research that has been published on this matter to date, and we have no current plans to repeat the exercise as there is no evidence to suggest that the proportion of veterans within the prison population has changed significantly.
	(1) This corrects the answer of 2,280 previously given in answer to the right hon. Member for Dwyfor Meirionnydd (Mr Llwyd) on 15 September 2011, Official Report, column 1339W, and the hon. Member for Wigan (Lisa Nandy) on 25 October 2011, Official Report, columns 154-55W.

Proceeds of Crime

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how monies and assets recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 are being used by his Department.

Jonathan Djanogly: The Ministry of Justice is responsible for collecting moneys paid in accordance with confiscation orders made under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. A confiscation order is an order to pay a sum of money and is enforced as if it were a fine. The Ministry of Justice pays confiscation order receipts to the Home Office, or the victim, if the court has so ordered.
	The Ministry of Justice participates with other asset recovery agencies in an asset recovery incentive scheme, ARIS, under which the participating agencies receive 50% of what they collectively recover. Money available for allocation in accordance with ARIS is determined by the total value of Home Office receipts in any financial year. Incentive allocations are based on each agency's contribution to the total value of remittances from: cash forfeiture orders; confiscation orders (including part paid orders and interest); and civil recovery and taxation cases.
	In recent years the Ministry of Justice share of scheme receipts has been 12.5% and income under the scheme as follows:
	
		
			  £000 
			 2008-09 10,407 
			 2009-10 11,213 
			 2010-11 11,845 
		
	
	The income has been used by the Ministry of Justice to defray the costs of regional collection and enforcement centres, related local and central management costs and the court costs relating to the making and enforcement of confiscation orders.

Reoffenders

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the reoffending rate for (a) Northamptonshire, (b) the area with the worst record in England and Wales and (c) the area with the best record in England and Wales was in the latest year for which figures are available.

Crispin Blunt: Your question has been answered using the Ministry of Justice's published proven reoffending statistics, the latest of which was published on 26 January 2012. It gives proven reoffending figures for offenders who were released from custody, received a non-custodial conviction at court, received a caution, reprimand, warning or tested positive for opiates or cocaine between April 2009 and March 2010. Proven reoffending is defined as any offence committed in a one year follow-up period and receiving a court conviction, caution, reprimand or warning in the one year follow-up or a further six months waiting period.
	Table 1 shows the proportion of offenders that reoffended in Northamptonshire, Hartlepool (the local authority with the highest proportion of reoffending), and Rutland (the local authority with the lowest proportion of reoffending).
	
		
			  Number of offenders Proportion of offenders who reoffend 
			 Northamptonshire 7,920 24.9 
			 Rutland 212 16.5 
			 Hartlepool 1,978 35.9 
		
	
	When comparing between local authorities, the differences may be due to:
	different types of offenders; areas where the offenders have high numbers of previous offences are likely to have higher proven reoffending rates;
	police activity; areas with high police detection rates are likely to have higher proven reoffending rates;
	age profile of offenders in the area; areas with a younger population are likely to have higher proven reoffending rates.
	This information is published each quarter at:
	www.justice.gov.uk/statistics/reoffending/proven-re-offending

Suicide

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  if he will take steps to ensure training on the needs of relatives bereaved through suicide is provided to coroners in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  if he will take steps to ensure the needs of relatives bereaved through suicide are considered in the inquest process; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health on the distribution of Help is at Hand to coroners; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan Djanogly: The Ministry of Justice funds and organises regular training for coroners, which includes training on handling bereaved relatives. Once in post, the Chief Coroner will have a power to make regulations about the training of coroners. Under section 42 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 the Lord Chancellor may issue guidance about the way the coroner system is expected to operate in relation to bereaved relatives. This will build on the Charter for Coroner Services, which we intend to publish shortly. Ministry of Justice officials have provided coroners' contact details to the Department of Health to facilitate the distribution of the publication ‘Help is at Hand’.

Translation Services

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 6 March 2012, Official Report, column 706W, on translation services 
	(1)  which of the key performance indicators the contractor is not fulfilling; and when the Department expects the contractor will be fulfilling all the key performance indicators;
	(2)  whether he has (a) applied service credits against Applied Language Solutions based upon the delivery of services against key performance indicators and (b) charged the contractor for any cost differential where the Department was required to source translation services from an alternative party.

Crispin Blunt: We are seeing a steady improvement in performance, however, the contractor is not yet delivering service in line with the following key performance indicators, for example:
	98% of all assignments requested are fulfilled
	All complaints were resolved to our satisfaction within three working days
	98% of assignments were delivered on time.
	We are demanding continued action to ensure that the contractor meets these performance levels as soon as possible. Contingency arrangements to minimise disruption to courts and tribunals will remain in place until then.
	Service credits have not yet been applied against the key performance indicators. We are currently considering the application of remedies in certain cases.

Translation Services: Foreign Nationals

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many foreign nationals in the criminal justice system have been released on bail rather than remanded in custody because of problems with the provision of translation or interpretation services since 30 January 2012.

Crispin Blunt: This information is not available.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Air Travel

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development on what occasions he has taken overseas flights to countries on official business since August 2010; what class of travel was used on each such flight; and by whom he was accompanied.

Andrew Mitchell: Details of all Ministers' overseas visits, including the cost of flights and the number of officials accompanying the Minister, are available on the Department for International Development (DFID) website at:
	http://www.dfid.gov.uk/about-us/our-organisation/ministers/#travel
	and are published every quarter.
	DFID do not hold further details of the Secretary of State's visits. The Secretary of State is accompanied by a Private Secretary and normally by a special adviser, senior official or both when the business requires.
	Section 10 of the Ministerial Code provides guidance on travel for Ministers and makes clear that Ministers must ensure that they always make efficient and cost-effective travel arrangements.

Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions he has had with his counterparts in other donor countries on meeting commitments to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria; and what recent steps his Department has taken to ensure such commitments are met.

Stephen O'Brien: UK Ministers continue to actively follow the reforms under way at the Global Fund and the resource mobilisation efforts, staying in close contact with the Global Fund and the Board Chair. We have had discussions with US counterparts and we are pleased with the recent USA budget approval to live up to their October 2010 pledge of US $4 million over 2011-13. Senior officials are working closely with other donors, including the USA, Australia, Nordic countries, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and with civil society groups to rebuild confidence and to ensure the fund has the resources it needs.
	We are encouraged by the recent funding announcements from Germany, Japan, the Gates Foundation, Sweden, the US and the intention of Spain to resume its funding. In November 2011, the Department for International Development was able to bring forward part of the UK's existing pledge to the fund (of up to £1 billion from 2008-15) in order to make sure that all Round 10 grants could be signed.
	We will continue to work with the fund and with other development ministers to ensure that the fund has resources in 2012 and paves the way for replenishment in 2013.

Jamaica

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the cost has been of UK aid to Jamaica since his Department's records began.

Alan Duncan: The amount of official development assistance disbursed by the UK to Jamaica since 1960 (the earliest date for which information is available) is US$293 million at current prices.

Leishmaniasis

Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will estimate the number of people globally affected by visceral leishmaniasis; and what steps his Department is taking to tackle the disease.

Stephen O'Brien: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), also known as kala-azar, is one of the most neglected tropical diseases. The World Health Organisation estimates that 500,000 new cases and approximately 50,000 deaths occur annually due to the disease. The majority (90%) of cases are in Bangladesh, Brazil, Ethiopia, India, Nepal, Sudan and South Sudan. If left untreated, VL is invariably fatal within two years.
	The Department for International Development (DFID) announced the expansion of its work to help control NTDs on 30 January 2012. This was part of a new coordinated push by public and private partners to accelerate progress toward eliminating or controlling ten neglected tropical diseases (“London Declaration on NTDs”) and will include the development of a new DFID programme for VL. DFID also supports VL research at the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative and the Institute of One World Health.

Members: Correspondence

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development plans to respond to the letter of 16 February 2012 from the hon. Member for Bethnal Green and Bow.

Stephen O'Brien: I replied to the hon. Lady's letter on Friday 9 March 2012.

North Korea

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps the Government is taking to respond to the humanitarian situation in North Korea.

Alan Duncan: The UK is not taking any direct steps to respond to the humanitarian situation in North Korea. We believe that the UK's investment in the various humanitarian organisations working in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) represents the best way for the UK to assist the people of the DPRK. We are in close contact with these humanitarian agencies and continue to monitor the situation.

Palestinians

Michael Crockart: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent representations he has made to the Israeli government on the restrictions in permitted fishing off the coast of Gaza and the effect on the Gazan people's ability to feed themselves.

Alan Duncan: The UK regularly makes representations at both ministerial and official level to the Government of Israel on the urgent need to ease restrictions on Gaza. Most recently, the Secretary of State for International Development, my right hon. Friend the Member for Sutton Coldfield (Mr Mitchell), and the Minister for the Middle East, my hon. Friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt), discussed these issues during visits to the region in December 2011 and January 2012.
	As part of our engagement with the Israeli authorities, we frequently emphasise the impact restrictions have had on industry in Gaza. Alongside our EU colleagues, we have urged Israel to extend the fishing zone from three to twenty nautical miles, as stipulated in the Oslo Accords. We continue to express our deep concern that in Gaza, which should have a thriving economy, over 50% of the population are food insecure.

Palestinians

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent representations he has made on the opening of crossings into Gaza.

Alan Duncan: We have consistently called on Israel to improve movement and access into and out of Gaza, including in recent visits by the Secretary of State for International Development, my right hon. Friend the Member for Sutton Coldfield (Mr Mitchell), and the Minister for the Middle East, my hon. Friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt). While steps taken by Israel in 2010 to ease restrictions were welcome, we are clear more needs to be done. We believe that easing restrictions will enhance Israel's security and are working with Israel and EU partners to achieve real change on the ground.

Sahel

Nick Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions he has had with (a) other governments and (b) multilateral organisations about funding for food insecurity in the Sahel.

Stephen O'Brien: The UK has responded quickly to provide assistance to the worst affected areas, but it is vital that other donors step forward to carry their share of the international response. To this end date, the International Development Secretary has already spoken with European Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva, and United Nations Under-Secretary-General Valerie Amos. Officials from my Department have also met with representatives from USAID, and raised the issue of the Sahel at a recent EU meeting attended by representatives from all 27 member states; and I have lobbied officials from Nordic countries.
	We will continue to engage in regular discussions with our counterparts in other governments and international organisations to help ensure an effective response to the crisis in the Sahel.

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Energy: Prices

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate his Department has made of the value of support fuel-poor households will receive in 2013 from the energy company obligation; and what value of support such households received from the carbon emissions reduction target in 2010.

Gregory Barker: The Green Deal and energy company obligation consultation proposed that, under ECO, activity estimated to be worth £350 million per year should be targeted at low income and vulnerable consumers, using means-tested benefit proxies, in private tenures. Within this group, approximately 61% were expected to be in fuel poverty(1). We also consulted on roll-out patterns, including whether there was a need to ensure that a proportion of the remaining carbon reduction element should be reserved for low-income households. In the Government response we will confirm the final structure of ECO and the expected impact on fuel poor households.
	Under CERT in 2010, 40% of the overall carbon saving target was required to be met in a priority group of lower income households, defined by age and benefit proxies. This was to ensure the equitable distribution of benefits. Just over £600 million a year was estimated to be needed to meet the priority group target(2). Within the priority group, approximately 15% were expected to be in fuel poverty(3).
	(1) Green Deal and energy company obligation draft impact assessment, November 2011, p. 112
	(2) UK Fuel Poverty Strategy 7th Annual Progress Report 2009, October 2009, p.4
	(3) Carbon emissions reduction target April 2008 to March 2011 Consultation Proposals published May 2007, Annex 3, p.2

Energy: Prices

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate has been made of the average annual amount which will be levied on a dual fuel bill to pay for the energy company obligation.

Gregory Barker: The costs of energy and climate change policies are not direct levies on energy bills but impact the prices energy suppliers charge their customers. How the costs of policies are passed on to consumers will be a commercial decision for energy suppliers. DECC's analysis of the impact on energy bills of policies assumes that energy suppliers fully pass on the cost of the energy company obligation (ECO) to energy consumers on a per unit of energy supplied basis
	(1)
	. On this basis, assuming the consultation proposal that ECO be set at £1.3 billion the estimated impact of ECO support costs on average household energy bills is £48 in 2020:
	
		
			  £ 
			 Net impact of ECO and Green Deal 8 
			 ECO support costs 48 
			 Green Deal repayment costs 20 
			 ECO and Green Deal energy efficiency saving -61 
		
	
	The Green Deal repayments and total efficiency savings are averaged across all households, including those which do not take up measures. For an individual household which takes up a Green Deal and/or ECO measure, the efficiency saving is expected to be much larger.
	The figures presented above are consistent with the Green Deal consultation impact assessment(2). Government will be publishing an updated impact assessment in due course, which will include the estimated impact on energy bills, alongside its formal
	response to the Green Deal and ECO consultation.
	(1) In reality, this cost may be passed on a per household rather than a per unit energy basis.
	(2) http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/consultation/green-deal/3603-green-deal-eco-ia.pdf

EU Emissions Trading Scheme

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of the Emissions Trading Scheme.

Gregory Barker: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 10 January 2012, Official Report, column 133W.

Green Deal Scheme

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when his Department plans to bring forward Green Deal secondary legislation.

Gregory Barker: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave her on 6 March 2012, Official Report, column 686W.

Green Deal Scheme

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what progress has been made in establishing a Green Deal apprenticeship scheme.

Gregory Barker: I am pleased to confirm that on 8 March we announced £3 million to fund the training of up to 1,000 ‘go-early’ assessors and 1,000 solid wall insulation installers as part of our commitment to develop the skills necessary for the Green Deal.
	We will continue to work with the sector skills councils and employers to develop more training opportunities and ensure that the National Apprenticeship scheme can support all those wishing to train for the Green Deal.

Green Deal Scheme

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will place in the Library copies of correspondence he received between 1 January 2012 and 1 March 2012 from energy companies or their representatives on the implementation of the Green Deal and the Green Deal Central Charge.

Gregory Barker: Ministers have received correspondence from energy companies or their representatives on the implementation of the Green Deal during this period. However we believe that release of this information would prejudice commercial interests.

Green Deal Scheme

Stephen Gilbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will take steps to establish clear rules for the independence of Green Deal assessors from Green Deal providers.

Gregory Barker: It is important that the advice provided by Green Deal assessors is completely impartial, no matter how they are being employed. The regulations, code of practice and standards, to be published in due course, will set out the expectations on all Green Deal assessors in terms of quality and impartiality of advice.

Green Deal Scheme

Stephen Gilbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps he is taking to ensure Green Deal assessors are appropriately qualified to provide advice to the consumer of the effect of Green Deal measures on their property.

Gregory Barker: All Green Deal assessors will need to be qualified to the standards set out in the National Occupational Standards for Green Deal Advisers. The draft standards have been submitted to the UKNOS Panel for approval and can be found on the Asset Skills website:
	http://www.assetskills.org/PropertyAndPlanning/EPBDGreenDealNOS.aspx

Green Deal Scheme

Stephen Gilbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps he is taking to ensure that the Code of Practice for Green Deal assessors enables consumers to access advice on Green Deal measures that is wholly independent of those selling such measures.

Gregory Barker: The regulations, Code of Practice and standards, to be published in due course, will set out the expectations of all Green Deal assessors in terms of quality and impartiality of advice and the distinction between the assessment process and other elements of the Green Deal.

Green Deal Scheme

Stephen Gilbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will take steps to ensure that consumers have access to advice from qualified built environment professionals on the full effects of proposed Green Deal measures.

Gregory Barker: The role of the Green Deal assessor will be to provide consumers with impartial information on the energy efficiency of their property and the potential to improve it further. They will be required to have an understanding of the effect of installing measures in a range of different property types and they will also be required to have an understanding of where further more specialist advice can be sought, where this is necessary, and to direct consumers towards that advice.

Nuclear Power Stations: Safety

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what information he has received from HM Chief Nuclear Inspector on progress made in resolving each of the outstanding issues identified on issuance in December 2011 of the interim design acceptance confirmation for the UK EPR as part of the generic design assessment process; when he expects all outstanding issues to be satisfactorily resolved; and how many such issues are related to concerns arising from safety assessments of the Fukushima nuclear accident.

Charles Hendry: The Office for Nuclear Regulation and the Environment Agency provide regular updates on the progress of the Generic Design Assessment process in their quarterly reports. These reports include metrics showing the progress of each GDA Issue and are published on the Regulators' website:
	www.hse.gov.uk/newreactors/quarterly-updates.htm
	The timing for the resolution of the outstanding GDA Issues for the EPR is a matter for the GDA Requesting Party and the Regulators, and is based on agreed resolution plans, which are also available on the Regulators' website:
	www.hse.gov.uk/newreactors/2011-gda-issues-epr.htm
	Regulators will not give their permission for construction of the safety related nuclear island until all issues have been resolved to their satisfaction.
	The EPR design has one outstanding GDA Issue that requires the Requesting Parties to "consider and action plans to address lessons learned from the Fukushima event". This GDA Issue and its associated resolution plan can be found towards the end of the above web page.

Renewable Energy: Feed-in Tariffs

Dan Rogerson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much additional funding he has allocated to the feed-in tariff scheme in the most current spending period.

Gregory Barker: No specific amount of additional funding has been allocated to the feed-in tariffs (FITs) scheme. The-FITs budget falls within the Levies Control Framework, which also includes the Renewables Obligation and Warm Homes Discount schemes. This includes a 'headroom' of 20% to recognise the uncertainty involved in managing demand-led schemes.
	The anticipated overspend on FITs resulting from the surge in installations in 2011-12 will be met through a combination of underspend from the Renewables Obligation, and if necessary use of the headroom facility. We expect that underspend on the Renewables Obligation will be available because we will be able to meet our interim renewables targets more cheaply than originally anticipated. There will not be any lower deployment of large-scale renewables in order to pay for FITs.
	Annex A of the Impact Assessment accompanying the consultation on Phase 2A of the comprehensive review of FITs available at:
	www.decc.gov.uk/media/viewfile.ashx?filetype=4&filepath= Consultations/fits-review/4320-feedin-tariffs-review-phase-2a-draft-impact-asses.pdf
	sets out the expected spend on FITs on existing installations, and the potential cost of new installations. The actual cost of new installations will depend on the rate at which technology costs fall and the level of uptake under the proposed new tariffs.

Renewable Energy: North West

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what plans he has to promote renewable energy sources in the North West of England.

Charles Hendry: In order to meet our 2020 renewable energy target we will need to boost deployment across the UK. The Renewable Energy Roadmap (published July 2011) sets out a UK-wide targeted plan of action for eight key technologies in order to meet our renewable energy target.
	I am aware of a number of existing key renewable energy projects in the North West including: Scout Moor onshore wind farm (65MW); Barrow (90MW); Burbo Bank (90MW); the recently completed Ormonde (150MW); and Walney 1 and 2 offshore wind farms. Walney was recently inaugurated by the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, the right hon. Member for Kingston and Surbiton (Mr Davey) as the largest offshore wind farm in the world.
	There is also potential for further offshore wind developments in the North West with the Crown Estate awarding development rights for extensions to both Burbo Bank and Walney and the round 3 Irish Sea Zone with its potential capacity of 4,200MW.
	Biomass will also play an important role in the North West—INEOS ChlorVinyls (a leading manufacturer of chlorine and PVC) is currently constructing an energy from waste (EfW) combined heat and power (CHP) plant in Runcorn, Cheshire. When complete, it will be the largest EfW CHP plant in the UK.
	The North West is a good place for investment in renewables—from 1 April 2011 to 17 January 2012, the Department has identified £86 million of investment in renewables in the North West with the support of 977 jobs, and a potential £20 million and 610 jobs in the pipeline. Further information is available from our website at:
	http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/meeting-energy-demand/renewable-energy/3994-renewables-investment-and-jobs-announced-1-april-t.pdf

Solar Power

Dan Rogerson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps he will take if deployment levels of solar photovoltaics are not on a trajectory to meet his 22GW ambition.

Gregory Barker: Under the central deployment scenario set out in the Impact Assessment accompanying the current consultation on solar photovoltaic (PV) cost control, see the following website:
	www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/Consultations/fits-review/4320-feedin-tariffs-review-phase-2a-draft-impact-asses.pdf
	we estimate that there could be approximately 22 GW of solar PV by 2020 in the central scenario. The assumptions behind this estimate are set out in the Impact Assessment.
	Estimates of future solar PV growth are extremely uncertain, and depend on a number of assumptions such as future PV costs, and the growth of the PV market. Thus, whether or not 22 GW is deployed by 2020 will depend on PV costs coming down.

Solar Power

Dan Rogerson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what levels of solar photovoltaic deployment he expects in (a) 2012-13, (b) 2013-14 and (c) 2014-15, broken down by (i) 0 to 4kw and (ii) 250kw to 5MW installations.

Gregory Barker: DECC's estimates of future deployment levels are set out in the impact assessment supporting the current consultation on solar PV cost control, available to view at:
	www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/Consultations/fits-review/4320-feedin-tariffs-review-phase-2a-draft-impact-asses.pdf
	The impact assessment does not break deployment down by installation size.
	Estimates of future solar PV growth are extremely uncertain, and depend on a number of assumptions such as future PV costs, and the growth of the PV market. DECC is continuously reviewing its estimates in the light of the latest evidence, and will provide updated assessments for the final impact assessment published alongside the Government response to the current consultation.

Tidal Power: North West

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent assessment he has made of the potential for the use of tidal energy in the North West of England.

Gregory Barker: In 2007 the Government commissioned the further development of the UK Marine Renewables Energy Atlas. The atlas represents the most detailed regional description of potential marine energy resources in UK waters ever completed to date at a national scale. The atlas is publicly available at:
	http://www.renewables-atlas.info/
	DECC also takes a strategic view on the environmental impacts of deploying wave and tidal energy technologies. The Department recently published its Offshore Energy Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA 2) which considered wave and tidal energy technologies for England and Wales and concluded that there are no overriding environmental considerations to prevent the leasing of wave and tidal energy devices provided appropriate measures are implemented that prevent, reduce and offset significant adverse impacts on the environment and other users of the sea.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Political Parties: Directors

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions he has had on requiring Government funded bodies to publish a register showing the political affiliations, if any, of directors and senior staff.

Francis Maude: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Cabinet Office.
	I have had no such discussions.
	The rules that are already in place require civil servants to act in accordance with the provisions of the Civil Service Code, including the requirement to act with political impartiality. They are also subject to restrictions on their political activities as set out in the Civil Service Management Code.
	Board members and staff of public bodies are subject to separate codes of conduct and rules that govern impartiality and political activities.

HEALTH

Ambulance Services: Pay

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost was of all the salaries of the chief executives of NHS ambulance trusts in England in (a) 2007 and (b) 2011.

Simon Burns: Information on total remuneration is not held centrally. NHS ambulance trusts are independent organisations in their own right, and the pay of their chief executives is a matter for each individual NHS ambulance trust.
	The pay of Ambulance Trust chief executives is governed by the Very Senior Managers (VSM) Pay Framework. The spot rates are set out as follows:
	
		
			 £ 
			  Current salary levels 
			  Salary from 1 April 2007 Salary from 1 April 2011 
			 Band 1 108,705 112,764 
			 Band 2 116,987 121,355 
			 Band 3 124,234 128,873 
			 London 144,940 150,351 
		
	
	Ambulance services by band are as follows:
	Band 1—South West; North East; Great Western
	Band 2—South East Coast; West Midlands; East Midlands; South Central
	Band 3—North West; East of England; Yorkshire
	Band 4—London
	Remuneration committees may consider the need for paying a Recruitment and Retention Premium (RRP). A RRP is an addition to the pay of an individual post (or specific group of posts) where market pressures would otherwise prevent the employer from being able to recruit and retain staff for the post(s) concerned at the normal basic salary for the post(s). Payments in respect of recruitment and retention should not normally exceed 30% of basic pay.
	The Remuneration Committee may also provide additional payments where individuals take on significant responsibilities outside their core role. Payments are linked to the proportion of time that the individual would spend on the additional work.
	The remuneration committee should make any recommendations for payments of RRP or Additional Responsibilities on the basis of a clear business case, this has to be approved by the grandparent organisation.

Ambulance Services: Pay

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information his Department holds on the levels of pay of chief executives of ambulance services in other EU member states.

Simon Burns: The Department does not hold this information.

Brain: Injuries

Richard Ottaway: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 28 February 2012, Official Report, columns 244-5W, on the brain: injuries, for what reason civilian patients treated in NHS hospitals for a head injury are not warned that they have a high risk of suffering post-traumatic hypopituitarism, while members of the armed forces treated in military hospitals are warned of the risk and screened for the condition; and if he will take steps to ensure that all hospitals routinely provide such screening to high risk patients.

Paul Burstow: Health professionals are best placed to use their clinical judgment to decide on the most appropriate treatment for patients with head injuries.

Breast Cancer

John Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what progress his Department has made on a national breast cancer audit as part of the National Clinical Audit and Patient Outcome Programme;
	(2)  whether he plans to hold a specification development meeting for a national breast cancer audit;
	(3)  when he plans to announce further details of the funding arrangements for a national clinical audit for breast cancer as part of the National Clinical Audit and Patient Outcome Programme.

Paul Burstow: The Secretary of State for Health, the right hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire (Mr Lansley), announced in October 2011 that 11 new clinical areas would be added to the Department of Health funded National Clinical Audit and Patient Outcomes Programme. These include a national breast cancer audit. The first four new national clinical audits to be commissioned are: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emergency laparotomy, the national vascular registry and prostate cancer. Specification development meetings have already been held for these audits and tender returns will shortly be invited for them. The remaining seven new national clinical audits will be commissioned in due course, using the same commissioning process.

Cumbria Primary Care Trust

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of patients from the Cumbria Primary Care Trust area who have been referred to out-of-county specialists in each of the last five years.

Simon Burns: The available information for patients resident in Cumbria Primary Care Trust (PCT) is shown in the following table. PCT level data have been used, as data by county of residence are not available.
	The data provided show a count of first out-patient attendances for residents of Cumbria PCT that occurred in a different PCT, in each of the last five years.
	The number of first out-patient attendances does not represent the number of patients, as a person may have had more than one attendance or non-attendance within the year.
	
		
			 Number of first out-patient attendances by patients resident in Cumbria Teaching PCT that occurred at a different PCT 
			  Number 
			 2006-07 6,798 
			 2007-08 8,311 
			 2008-09 10,947 
			 2009-10 11,250 
			 2010-11 14,371 
			 Note: First Attendance: a first attendance that was either face-to-face or via a telephone/telemedicine consultation. Source: Health and Social Care Information Centre Hospital Episode Statistics (HES). Activity in English NHS Hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector.

Departmental Ethnic Minority Staff

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what proportion of senior civil servants in his Department were from an ethnic minority in March (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012; and if he will make a statement.

Simon Burns: The numbers and proportions of senior civil servants (SCS) from black and minority ethnic (BME) groups, for the months requested, are given as follows.
	
		
			 As at March each year Total BME SCS Percentage of SCS BME 
			 2010 20 7 
			 2011 17 7 
			 2012 12 6 
		
	
	The Department continues to exceed the Cabinet Office threshold target of 4% for BME staff in the senior civil service and has set aspirational ‘stretch’ goals, to be achieved by April 2013.

Diabetes: Screening

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of people with diabetes who did not receive the nine health care checks recommended by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines in each primary care trust area in 2011.

Paul Burstow: The nine health care checks for diabetes as recommended by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) are: HbA1c (a measurement of residual glucose), body mass index, blood pressure, urinary albumin, creatinine (a measure of kidney function), cholesterol, eye examinations, foot examinations and smoking status. NICE guidance recommends that diagnosed diabetics receive these nine health care checks (also known as care processes) annually. Primary care trusts (PCTs) are accountable for delivery of care and should be monitoring service delivery at local level.
	There are two sources of data for assessing the extent to which the nine health care checks are provided: the National Diabetes Audit (NDA), and the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) achievement data.
	The NDA covers 81.1% of the 2.34 million people aged 17 years and over with diagnosed diabetes reported by the QOF. Results for all PCTs that submit data to the annual NDA can be accessed via the NDA dashboard on the following link:
	www.ic.nhs.uk/services/national-clinical-audit-support-programme-ncasp/national-diabetes-audit/analysis/pct-analysis-profiles
	Ranking of results is colour coded enabling easy comparison of performance between PCTs.
	In addition, two maps in the NHS Atlas of Variation (2011) can be accessed via the following link:
	www.sepho.org.uk/extras/maps/NHSatlas2011/atlas.html
	These are specific to delivery of the nine care processes, and use data from the NDA. The atlas shows that, depending on their PCT area, between 5.4% and 47.9% of people with Type 1 diabetes received all nine health care checks, and between 7% and 71.4% of those with Type 2 diabetes received all the nine health care checks.
	The QOF achievement data show higher numbers of patients receiving each of the health care checks than does the NDA (when comparing the QOF and NDA figures for each of the tests separately). The QOF data tables for each QOF year including 2009-10 at national strategic health authority and PCT levels are at:
	www.ic.nhs.uk/statistics-and-data-collections/audits-and-performance/the-quality-and-outcomes-framework/the-quality-and-outcomes-framework-2009-10
	The differences may be ascribable to variations in scope and data assessment methodology. We intend to work with stakeholders to understand the reasons for the differences and to identify what needs to be done as a result.

Drugs

Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding his Department makes available for independent research into branded medicines which are in short supply.

Simon Burns: The Department funds many independent research programs. We are not currently funding research about short supply of branded medicines.

Drugs: Delivery Services

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 1 March 2012, Official Report, column 474W, on drugs: delivery services, if he will (a) make and (b) publish an assessment of the number of emergency deliveries made.

Simon Burns: The Department does not monitor the number of emergency deliveries made by medicine manufacturers to pharmacies and has not made any assessment.

Drugs: Misuse

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his strategy is for training and workforce development to support the transfer of responsibility for drug and alcohol services for the new public health service; and what the role will be of the Substance Misuse Skills Consortium.

Anne Milton: The Government's Drug Strategy, published in December 2010 sets out our plans for ensuring that an inspirational recovery orientated workforce helps more people to recover from dependence on drugs, alcohol and prescription and over-the-counter medicines.
	We have committed to work with the Substance Misuse Skills Consortium to develop a skills framework. The Substance Misuse Skills Consortium is an independent and representative body of providers, service users and carers, and professional and membership organisations for those working in substance misuse treatment.
	The National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse is supporting the transfer of responsibility for commissioning drug and alcohol treatment services to local authorities, subject to parliamentary approval. This includes advice on commissioning and help with the analysis of local data for Joint Strategic Needs Assessments.

Drugs: Plymouth

Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information his Department holds on which branded medicines are in short supply in Plymouth.

Simon Burns: The Department does not hold information on which branded medicines are in short supply in Plymouth. The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee collates reports from pharmacy contractors on medicines that they have had difficulty sourcing and publishes the Branded (medicines) Shortages List on their website:
	www.psnc.org.uk/pages/problem_medicines_list.html

Health

Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  whether there are any (a) organisations and (b) individuals that have withdrawn from the plenary group which oversees the development of the Public Health Responsibility Deal;
	(2)  if he will list any organisations and individuals who have withdrawn from each of the five networks established under the Public Health Responsibility Deal.

Paul Burstow: In autumn 2010, a range of organisations and individuals were invited to participate in the development of the Responsibility Deal. For a list of network invitees, I refer the hon. Member to the response given by the Under-Secretary of State for Health, my hon. Friend the Member for Guildford (Anne Milton) on 8 December 2010, Official Report , columns 343-44W.
	On the launch of the Responsibility Deal in March 2011, we invited these organisations to sign up to the deal. Some individuals, such as academics or expert advisers, were and continue to be involved in a personal capacity rather than as representatives of organisations. Consequently, they cannot sign up as partners.
	The following is a list of the organisations involved in the development work; which have not signed up to become partners.
	Plenary group
	Federation of Small Businesses
	Diabetes UK
	Alcohol, network
	Alcohol Concern
	Alcohol Health Alliance
	British Liver Trust
	British Medical Association
	Institute for Alcohol Studies
	Health at work network
	British Heart Foundation (BHF)
	C3 Collaborating for Health
	Men's Health Forum
	NHS Employers—signed up to the Responsibility Deal as part of the NHS Confederation
	Royal College of Physicians.
	South East Chambers of Commerce
	TUC
	Transport for London.
	Physical activity network
	BHF National Centre
	BSkyB
	CABE—organisation no longer exists
	Cycling England—organisation no longer exists
	Natural England
	Royal Town Planning Institute
	There have been some changes to the individuals representing partner organisations and we have not listed these.
	Information on the current structure of the plenary group and its networks and a full list of the Responsibility Deal's partners is available on our website at:
	http://responsibilitydeal.dh.gov.uk/
	Since March 2011, the following six organisations have withdrawn from the Responsibility Deal.
	Badminton England
	Centrica
	energie Fitness, Hackney Club
	L'Aquila
	NHS North East Essex
	Punch Pub Company—company no longer exists

Health

Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many meetings have been held of the plenary group which oversees the development of the Public Health Responsibility Deal since its inception.

Paul Burstow: Five meetings of the Responsibility Deal's plenary groups have been held since September 2011.

Health

Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Public Health Responsibility Deal in tackling obesity and other health issues.

Paul Burstow: The Department's Policy Research Programme is currently investigating the feasibility of an independent evaluation of some element of the Public Health Responsibility Deal.

Health and Social Care Bill

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many representations he has received urging him to drop the Health and Social Care Bill from (a) individuals and (b) organisations.

Simon Burns: The Government are aware that a number of individuals and organisations have made representations arguing for the withdrawal of the Health and Social Care Bill. However, the Department does not record these separately from other correspondence.

Health Services: North West

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the (a) capital and (b) ongoing revenue costs of providing extra intensive care and high dependency unit beds at (i) Warrington and Halton NHS Trust and (ii) the Countess of Chester NHS Trust in the event of a vascular hub being located at either hospital.

Simon Burns: The provision of local health services is a matter for the local national health service. As such, the Department has made no estimate of the costs to Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (FT) and Countess of Chester Hospital NHS FT of the provision of intensive care and high dependency unit beds.
	Cost implications of the proposal to centralise arterial surgery at the Countess of Chester hospital, included in the review by the local NHS of vascular services in Cheshire and Merseyside, will be considered by local commissioners as part of detailed implementation planning. Further information on this work can be obtained from Kathy Doran, chief executive of the Cheshire, Warrington and Wirral primary care trust cluster board.

Heart Diseases: Children

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the budget is for the safe and sustainable review of children's heart services in England which is being carried out by the National Specialised Commissioning Team; and how much has been spent on the review.

Simon Burns: The review of children's congenital heart services is a clinically led national health service review, independent of Government. However, we understand that the total budget for the review is not available as the review is ongoing and costs are still being incurred, and will be incurred up to the decision by the Joint Committee of Primary Care Trusts later this year. We also understand that the final costs of the review will be published on the Safe and Sustainable website once the review is completed.

Midwives

Stephen Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Hackney North and Stoke Newington of 20 February 2012, Official Report, column 701W, on midwives, what proportion of midwifery graduates started work as midwives in the NHS within six months of graduation in each year from 1997 to 2009.

Paul Burstow: The Higher Education Statistics Agency is the official agency for the collection, analysis and dissemination of quantitative information about higher education.
	The following table shows the percentage of midwifery graduates who started work as midwives in the national health service within six months of graduation in each year from 2002-03 to 2009-10. The first Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey was carried out in 2002-03 and prior figures are incomparable.
	
		
			 Year of graduation Graduates from midwifery courses (1) Of  which :  working (2)  in midwifery Percentage working in midwifery (3) 
			 2002-03 1,030 870 84.4 
			 2003-04 1,245 1,000 80.3 
			 2004-05 1,135 910 80.1 
			 2005-06 1,355 1,085 79.9 
			 2006-07 1,365 1,055 77.2 
			 2007-08 1,485 1,180 79.4 
			 2008-09 1,425 1,135 79.6 
			 2009-10 1,520 1,245 81.7 
			 (1 )Covers graduates of all domiciles from full-time and part-time postgraduate and undergraduate courses. (2 )Covers full-time, part-time and voluntary employment and work and further study. (3 )Based on the Standard Occupational Classification. Notes: Numbers are rounded up or down to the nearest multiple of five, so components may not sum to totals: Percentages are based on unrounded figures and are given to one decimal place. Subject information is shown as full person equivalents (FPEs) in the table. FPEs are derived by splitting student instances between the different subjects that make up their course aim. Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) Survey.

Multiple Sclerosis: Drugs

Ben Gummer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 1 March 2012, Official Report, columns 476-7W, on multiple sclerosis: drugs, how many prescriptions for the Tysabri form of the drug natalizumab were issued in each strategic health authority between December 2009 and February 2012.

Simon Burns: The latest information available from the Prescribing Analysis and CosT tool system indicates that there was one prescription for Tysabri and none using the generic name natalizumab, recorded as being prescribed by a strategic health authority (SHA) between December 2009 and December 2011. As there might be a data protection issue with releasing information where the drug has only been prescribed once, we have not named the SHA. Currently prescribing data are available only up to December 2011, therefore figures between January 2012 and February 2012 are not available.
	As previously stated, natalizumab (Tysabri) is used mainly in secondary care.

Multiple Sclerosis: Drugs

Ben Gummer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 1 March 2012, Official Report, columns 476-7W, on multiple sclerosis: drugs, how many prescriptions for the Fampyra form of the drug fampridine were issued in each strategic health authority between October 2011 and January 2012.

Simon Burns: The latest information available from the Prescribing Analysis and CosT tool system indicates that there was one prescription for fampridine, the generic name of Fampyra, recorded as being prescribed once by a strategic health authority (SHA) between October 2011 and December 2011. As there might be a data protection issue with releasing information where the drug has only been prescribed once, we have not named the SHA. Currently prescribing data are available only up to December 2011, therefore figures for January 2012 are not available.
	As previously stated, fampridine (Fampyra) is used mainly in secondary care.

NHS: Innovation

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what role the Specialised Commissioning Innovation Fund will have in supporting the adoption and diffusion of innovation.

Simon Burns: The focus of the Specialised Commissioning Innovation Fund is on the rare health conditions and diseases, and is due to be trialled in 2012-13. It would see the establishment of an advisory board, reporting to the NHS Medical Director, which will horizon scan for the best innovations, and then fund rapid trials in hospitals to test and evaluate the effectiveness and use of the technologies. If the trials show that the technologies can deliver significant improvements in quality or value, they will be spread at pace and scale across the national health service.
	Where appropriate this would enable suitable patients to have early access to innovative treatments in a way that ensured the collection and. dissemination of data for wider use.

NHS: Innovation

John Glen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many bodies within the NHS he proposes will have specific responsibility for the promotion of innovation in health care after March 2012;
	(2)  what future role he plans for NHS regional innovation hubs.

Simon Burns: Innovation remains crucial to delivering a world-class health service, in terms of improving the quality of patient care and its contribution to economic growth.
	However, over the last decade, the innovation landscape has become fragmented, cluttered and confusing. Many new organisations have emerged all charged with improving innovation in the national health service, including the regional innovation hubs. We need to ensure that innovation investment, development and support are coherently organised, and focused on delivering quality and driving value.
	This is why, as announced in ‘Innovation Health and Wealth’, we will undertake a sunset review of all NHS and Department of Health funded or sponsored innovation bodies, which will determine their future form and funding arrangements.

NHS: Procurement

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how he plans to monitor the personalisation of healthcare by primary care trusts and clinical commissioning groups.

Simon Burns: The Health and Social Care Bill sets out a clear framework of accountability and assurance, giving the NHS Commissioning Board the tools to ensure local commissioners can deliver improved outcomes for patients, including making services more personalised and getting the best value for money from the public’s investment.
	The Bill includes specific duties for the NHS Commissioning Board and clinical commissioning groups about involving patients in decisions about their care and enabling them to make choices. While clinical commissioning groups will be responsible for the way they meet these duties, there will be transparent accountability to the NHS Commissioning Board. The board will report against its functions, and the Secretary of State for Health, my right hon. Friend the Member for South Cambridgeshire (Mr Lansley), will have an explicit duty to keep the board’s performance under review.

NHS: Procurement

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  whether he plans to transfer commissioning support services to the private sector;
	(2)  what future arrangements he plans for the control and accountability of commissioning support services;
	(3)  how many managing directors he estimates will be appointed for commissioning support services in the NHS;
	(4)  which primary care trusts are forming partnerships for joint provision of commissioning support services.

Simon Burns: The White Paper ‘Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS’ proposed that clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) would have the freedom to decide which commissioning activities they do themselves and those that they choose to buy in from external organisations, including local authorities, private and voluntary sector bodies, and that over time a more competitive market will develop for supplying some of these services.
	The strategy for ensuring that CCGs can choose from a range of high quality commissioning support services (CSSs) was set out in ‘Developing commissioning support: Towards Service Excellence’ published by the NHS Commissioning Board Authority (NHS CBA) on 2 February 2012.
	This guidance describes the business review process that aims to support staff in primary care trust clusters to transform their services and the assurance process that will test their viability. The business review will operate until August 2012 when the NHS CBA will assess the full business plans that CSSs have developed. More information will be available on the detailed operating arrangements for commissioning support services in the autumn.

NHS: Reorganisation

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he has issued on the conduct of consultations with the public on proposed changes to NHS services; and what procedures he has put in place to assess whether such consultations have been conducted effectively.

Simon Burns: The Department published statutory guidance in October 2008 “Real Involvement”. The guidance provides advice to national health service organisations about their obligations under section 242 of the NHS Act 2006. This duty requires NHS organisations to make arrangements to involve patients and public in the planning and development of services and decisions affecting the operation of services. The Act is not prescriptive about what constitutes ‘involvement’, but the provision makes it clear that users may be involved by being consulted, or by being given information, or in other ways.
	Additional guidance published by the Department (Changing for the Better, 2008) advises that major service change proposals should have a plan that covers a range of activities to involve and consult with local people and representative organisations, staff and other stakeholders.
	The Department does not routinely assess the conduct of individual consultations by NHS organisations. However, it does require that primary care trusts report annually on the impact of public feedback to consultations and their commissioning decisions.

Pharmacy

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to review the effect on the supply of prescription drugs of the Direct to Pharmacy initiative; and for what reasons the Direct to Pharmacy initiative is imposing a quota on the stock of prescription drugs distributed to chemists.

Simon Burns: The Department continues to meet supply chain representatives regularly to seek to ensure that patients can continue to obtain the medicines they need when they need them. Suppliers may use their own distribution arrangements, including a direct to pharmacy model and quotas providing they continue to meet the legal requirements to ensure, within the limits of their responsibility, the appropriate and continued supply of medical products to pharmacies so that the needs of patients are met.

Pharmacy

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 20 February 2012, Official Report, column 711W, on pharmacy, what his policy is on imposing a legal obligation to ensure a pharmacy receives medicines within 24 hours.

Simon Burns: I have nothing further to add to my earlier reply to the hon. Member.

Pinderfields Hospital: Spinal Injuries

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information his Department holds on whether a review of spinal cord injury services is being undertaken at Pinderfields hospital, Wakefield.

Simon Burns: The Department is aware Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust is currently developing a clinical services strategy to ensure the future safety and sustainability of services. The spinal injuries centre at Pinderfields hospital is included in the development of this strategy. However, this is a matter for the local national health service and the hon. Member may wish to write to the chief executive of the trust for more information.
	An NHS-led national review of spinal surgery services is also under way. The purpose of this review is to identify current provision and make recommendations on future need. The report of the taskforce leading the review is expected later this year.

Prescription Drugs: Exports

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had on reducing the exports of prescription drugs which are in shortage in the NHS.

Simon Burns: The Department meets regularly with representatives of the medicine supply chain to discuss the export of medicines to other European member states, which can be carried out legally by anyone who holds the necessary licences under United Kingdom medicines legislation. The licence holders remain under a duty, within the limits of their responsibilities, to ensure appropriate and continued supplies to pharmacies so that the needs of patients in the UK are met.

Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia: Prescriptions

Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on exempting adults with primary ciliary dyskinesia from prescription charges in the last 12 months.

Simon Burns: In the period 1 March 2011 to 29 February 2012, the Department received one relevant written representation on this matter, a letter from my hon. Friend dated 26 May 2011.

Recruitment

Andy Burnham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department has spent on advertising job vacancies since October 2011.

Simon Burns: Since October 2011, £6,745 has been spent on advertising to recruit senior civil servants. There has been no spending on advertising for posts below the senior civil service. Fast streamers are centrally recruited by Cabinet Office for a standard fee.

Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals NHS Trust: Public Appointments

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he plans to give guidance to the Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Hospitals Trust board on the inclusion of interested stakeholder groups in the appointment of a new chief executive of the Trust.

Simon Burns: The appointment of a chief executive is an employment matter for the employing trust. However, national health service trusts' chairs are expected to consult and involve the strategic health authority chief executive at all stages of the recruitment, selection and appointment process when appointing a new chief executive.

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Bob Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the responsibilities are of the (a) chair and (b) chief executive of the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust.

Simon Burns: Responsibilities of both the chair and chief executive will cover strategic, human resources and operational issues.
	In addition, the chief executive has responsibilities as accounting officer, to ensure that financial systems and procedures promote the efficient and economical conduct of business and safeguard financial propriety and regularity throughout the trust.
	Further details of the responsibilities of an NHS foundation trust accounting officer can be found in the “Revised: NHS Foundation Trust Accounting Officer Memorandum” (April 2008), which is available on Monitor’s website at:
	www.monitor-nhsft.gov.uk/home/our-publications/browse-category/guidance-foundation-trusts/mandatory-guidance/revised-nhs-foun

Sugar

Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he considered including a pledge on sugar as part of the Responsibility Deal Collective Pledges on Food.

Paul Burstow: The Responsibility Deal Food Network has agreed the terms of a calorie reduction pledge under which companies can make commitments to support and enable their customers to eat and drink fewer calories. Reducing sugar content in food and soft drinks to reduce calories is one of a range of actions businesses might take.

West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust: Pay

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the total value of the remuneration package is for the chief executive of West Midlands Ambulance Service, including costs associated with pension and car allowance;
	(2)  what the individual components are of the remuneration package for the chief executive of West Midlands Ambulance Service;
	(3)  what the travel expenses were of the chief executive of West Midlands Ambulance Service in (a) 2009, (b) 2010 and (c) 2011.

Simon Burns: The information requested is not held by the Department. My hon. Friend may wish to approach the West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust directly.

West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust: Pay

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if he will take steps to reduce the salary of the chief executive of West Midlands Ambulance Service;
	(2)  if he will arrange for officials in his Department to meet the chief executive of West Midlands Ambulance Trust to renegotiate his contract to ensure he does not earn more than the Prime Minister.

Simon Burns: National health service ambulance trusts are independent employers and organisations in their own right. The pay of a chief executive within an NHS ambulance trust is a contractual agreement between the employee and the employing organisation. It is for the NHS ambulance trusts remuneration committee to ensure the pay of the chief executive within that organisation is appropriate in accordance with the very senior managers (VSM) pay framework. This provides an objective spot rate for every post.
	Under the VSM pay framework, a remuneration committee may consider an additional payment beyond the basic spot rate. This is when there is a requirement for a recruitment and retention premium or where an individual takes on significant responsibilities outside their core role. Any additional payment beyond the spot rate requires grandparent approval. The grandparent organisation for the West Midlands Ambulance Trust is NHS Midlands and East.

WOMEN AND EQUALITIES

Equality and Human Rights Commission: Pay

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities for what reason the Deputy Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission's daily rate of pay is set at £700; and if she will make a statement.

Lynne Featherstone: holding answer 27 February 2012
	The deputy chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) was appointed in 2009 by the then Minister for Women and Equalities, the right hon. and learned Member for Camberwell and Peckham (Ms Harman).
	The deputy chair has a higher remuneration rate than the other commissioners (£700 per day compared to £500 per day) to reflect the additional responsibilities of the role, including standing in for the chair in his absence.
	In March 2011, we set out plans to reform the EHRC. We will respond to the consultation shortly.